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JK-R
Students are expected to act in a way which does not hinder teaching or the orderly operation of the school.
They should recognize that failure to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner will result in prompt punishment which could lead to suspension and/or expulsion. While most students should know what is generally accepted as mature and responsible behavior, some examples of unacceptable behavior include:
1. stealing
2. possessing, selling, and/or using alcoholic beverages, marijuana, or other drugs
3. smoking and/or using tobacco products on school grounds
4. possessing or detonating firecrackers
5. destruction of property or littering
6. improper use of a motor vehicle and dangerous driving
7. fighting, (verbal harassment), and/or threatening
8. tardiness or failure to report to the office when tardy
9. truancy
10. leaving school grounds without permission
11. disrespect and/or use of profanity
12. disrupting school activity
13. being in parking lot without authorization
14. throwing snowballs
15. cutting class
16. failure to report or to follow rules for detention
17. failure of a student to obey a reasonable request by any staff member
18. undermining the authority of a teacher
19. Violation of State and Federal laws
When it is decided a pupil has violated the school rules (Discipline Code), the following minimum steps will be taken:
First, violation: Written warning – The student is warned that any further infraction will necessitate in-school suspension. Also, the student’s parents are notified of the same by a letter. A copy of the letter will be filed in the main office.
Second violation: First In-School Suspension – Three day in-school suspension. Parents are contacted and a conference in person or by telephone is requested.
Third violation: Second In-School Suspension – Five day in-school suspension. Parents are contacted by mail and a conference in person or by telephone is requested.
Fourth or fifth violation: Out-of-School Suspension – Three day out-of-school suspension. Administration will confer with parents in person or by telephone. Notice of suspension will be given to school board.
Sixth violation: Out-of-School Suspension and Hearing – Five day out-of-school suspension. Parents must confer with administration in person before the student returns to school. A hearing will be held with the school board regarding possible further action, including expulsion from school.
Administrative Discretion: The above disciplinary actions are minimums. When the administration determines that the maintenance of a safe and orderly school operation requires more serious punishment, the administration has the discretion to impose up to ten days out-of-school suspension and/or to schedule a hearing with the school board regarding further action, including possible expulsion from school.
NOTE: Students who have been placed on In-School Suspension or out of school suspension are not allowed to participate in any extra-curricular, athletic, or school sponsored activities during the time they are on suspension. This is intended to include any activities (practices, games, performances, dances, club or activity meetings or events) which take place in the afternoon, evening, and during the day of the suspension days and shall include Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and vacation periods that fall between the beginning and conclusion of the suspension time.
A student at Kennebunk High School, as well as the parents of that student, may at their option
use the following grievance procedure. The purpose of this grievance procedure is to arrive at an equitable solution to disciplinary problems affecting the student at the lowest possible level. Each appeal must be made in writing within five days after the decision appealed from, and if no appeal is made as allowed by this grievance procedure the matter shall be deemed to be settled and disposed of. Any disciplinary decision shall remain in effect during the grievance procedure, provided that the person at the next higher appeal level shall have the discretion to suspend or modify the discipline pending his/her decision.
The coach/advisor of each activity shall render those decisions that he or she deems necessary and proper for the good of the team or activity. A coach/advisor in the athletic department will consult with the athletic director at the time of making the Level I decision. His/Her decision will be made in accordance with the Activities Code and any other applicable board policies. A student or parent may appeal a disciplinary decision made by a coach/advisor, in writing, to Level 2 within five days of the decision.
Level 2 (First level of Discipline Code) – The Assistant Principal
The Assistant Principal or his/her designee shall make the initial decision concerning a violation of the Discipline Code and shall be the first level of appeal of decisions under the Activities Code. Upon receipt of a written appeal from a Level I decision, the Assistant Principal shall review the decision of the coach/advisor and meet with student and/or parents as soon as practicable for the purpose of resolving the grievance. The Assistant Principal shall render his/her decision on the grievance in writing within five days of the meeting. A student or parent may appeal the decision of the Assistant Principal in writing to Level 3 within five school days of the decision.
Upon receipt of a written appeal from a Level 2 decision, the Principal shall review that decision and meet with the student and/or parents as soon as practicable for the purpose of resolving the grievance. The Principal shall render his/her decision on the appeal in writing within five days of the meeting. The student or parent may appeal the decision of the Principal, in writing, within five school days of the decision.
Level 4 – The Superintendent
Upon receipt of a written appeal from a Level 3 decision that includes a penalty of greater than three (3) days of suspension, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall review the written decisions made at Level 2 and Level 3 and meet with the student and/or parents as soon as practicable for the purpose of resolving the grievance. The Superintendent shall render his/her decision on the matter in writing within five days of the meeting.
INFORMAL APPEAL PROCESS
At the first level of disciplinary action, the student will be advised of the above formal appeal process. The student will also be advised that he/she may opt to pursue an informal appeal, as described in this paragraph. An informal appeal is made verbally, on the same day that a disciplinary decision is made, by the student’s telling the decision-maker that he/she wants to appeal to the next level. The decision-maker will arrange for the student to meet as soon as possible with the person at the next higher appeal level, and that person may meet or speak with any other people having knowledge of the matter. All decisions will be reported verbally to the student as soon as possible following the meeting with the student. An informal appeal may be pursued through Level 3 and will not preclude the student or parents from also filing a formal, written appeal. Any disciplinary decision shall remain in effect during the informal appeal process, provided that the person at the next higher appeal level shall have the discretion to suspend or modify the discipline pending his/her decision.
Amended: 6/28/93
Amended: 10/14/97
Amended: 12/8/97
Amended: 10/23/00
Amended: 08/12/02