FILE:  JD

Cf:  IDDF, JBE, JCD

Cf:  JDD, JDE, JDF

DISCIPLINE

The Ascension Parish School Board recognizes the necessity for reasonable control and discipline over the conduct of pupils under its jurisdiction.  Every teacher in the public school system shall endeavor to hold each pupil to a strict accountability for any disorderly conduct in school, or on the playgrounds of the school, on the street or while going to or returning from school, or during intermission or recess.  To assist the teacher, the Board shall establish regulations for the use of disciplinary measures within the schools and continually monitor and appraise their usefulness.

Principals shall have both the authority and the duty to take disciplinary action whenever the behavior of any pupil(s) materially interferes with or substantially disrupts the maintenance of a proper atmosphere for learning within the classroom or other parts of the school.  However, no pupil shall be disciplined in any manner by the School Board or school administrator, teacher, or other school employee for the use of force upon another person when it can be reasonably concluded that the use of such force more probably than not was committed solely for the purpose of preventing a forcible offense against the pupil or a forcible offense provided that the force used must be reasonable and apparently necessary to prevent such offense.  A pupil who is the aggressor or who brings on a difficulty cannot claim the right stated above to defend himself/herself.

Each teacher may take disciplinary action to correct a pupil who disrupts normal classroom activities, who is disrespectful to a teacher, who willfully disobeys a teacher, who uses abusive or foul language directed at a teacher or another pupil, who violates school rules, or who interferes with an orderly education process. The disciplinary action taken by the teacher shall be in accordance with such regulations and procedures established by the Board.

STUDENT REMOVAL FROM CLASSROOM

A pupil may be immediately removed from a classroom by the teacher and placed in the custody of the principal or designee if the pupil's behavior prevents the orderly instruction of other pupils, poses an immediate threat to the safety of pupils or the teacher, or when a pupil exhibits disrespectful or threatening behavior toward a teacher.  If removed, the student shall not receive credit for school work missed.

A pupil removed from class in kindergarten through grade 6 shall not be permitted to return to class for at least thirty (30) minutes unless agreed to by the teacher.  A pupil removed from class in grades 7 through 12 shall not be permitted to return to class during the same class period, unless agreed to by the teacher initiating the disciplinary action.

Upon the pupil being removed from class and sent to the principal's office, the principal or designee shall conduct a counseling session with the pupil to discuss the particular misconduct. Once removed, the pupil shall not be readmitted to the classroom until the principal has implemented one of the following disciplinary measures:

When a pupil has been removed from a classroom, the teacher may require the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of the pupil to have a conference with the teacher in the presence of the principal or his or her designee before the pupil is readmitted.  Upon the pupil's third removal from the same classroom, the teacher and principal shall discuss the pupil's disruptive behavior and contemplated disciplinary measures to be taken before the principal implements such measures.  If appropriate, a referral of the matter may be made to the appropriate building level committee.  In addition, a conference between the teacher or other appropriate school employee and the pupil's parent, tutor, or legal guardian shall be required prior to the pupil being readmitted.  If the disruptive behavior persists, the teacher may request that the principal transfer the pupil into another setting.

Whenever a teacher is struck by a pupil, the pupil, in addition to any other discipline given, shall be permanently removed from the teacher's classroom, unless the teacher objects, or unless the principal, with the concurrence of the building level committee, finds the striking incident to be entirely inadvertent.

PARENT CONFERENCES

In any case where a teacher, principal, or other school employee is authorized to require the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a pupil to attend a conference or meeting regarding the pupil's behavior, and after notice, the parent, tutor, or legal guardian willfully refuses to attend, the principal, or his/her designee, shall file a complaint, in accordance with statutory provisions, with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction.  "Notice" of the conference, specifying the time and date of the conference, shall be given by contacting the parent, tutor, or legal guardian by telephone at the telephone number shown on the pupil's registration card or by sending a certified letter to the address shown on the pupil's registration card.

REPORTS TO PRINCIPAL

Any teacher or other school employee may report to the principal any pupil who acts in a disorderly manner or is in violation of school rules, or any misconduct or violation of school rules by a pupil who may or may not be known to the teacher or employee.  Incidents of alleged discipline violations shall be reported on two (2) forms, one form to report only school transportation-related incidents and one form to report all other incidents.  The forms shall be submitted in accordance with procedures outlined by the Board, the Superintendent, and school system personnel.  The principal shall review and act upon such information submitted, to determine if suspension or other disciplinary action is necessary.

Should the principal fail to act on any report of misconduct or school violation, he/she shall explain the reasons for doing so to the Superintendent or designee and to the teacher or school employee reporting the violation.

DELINQUENT STUDENTS

Pupils who regularly disrupt the normal school environment shall be considered as delinquent, and may be reported by appropriate school personnel to the juvenile court.  Any pupil that exhibits disruptive behavior, an incorrigible attitude, or any other discipline problems in general, may be recommended by the principal for expulsion, assignment to an appropriate alternative education program, or transfer to adult education if the pupil is:

DEFINITIONS

In-school suspension means removing a pupil from his/her normal classroom setting but maintaining him/her under supervision of the school.  Pupils participating in in-school suspension may receive credit for work performed during the in-school suspension.  Any pupil who fails to comply fully with the rules for in-school suspension shall be subject to immediate suspension.

Detention means activities, assignments, or work held before the normal school day, after the normal school day, or on weekends.  Failure or refusal by a pupil to participate in assigned detention shall subject the pupil to immediate suspension.

RECUSAL OF ADMINISTRATOR IN DISCIPLINE MATTERS

Any school administrator or administrator's designee who is required to make a recommendation, decide an issue, or take action in a matter involving the discipline of a student shall recuse himself/herself whenever a member of the immediate family of the administrator or administrator's designee is involved in any manner in the discipline matter.  In case of recusal, the action to be taken shall be done so by the Superintendent or an impartial designee of the Superintendent.

Immediate family means the individual's children, brothers, sisters, parents, and spouse and the children, brothers, sisters, and parents of the spouse.

DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Discipline of students with disabilities shall be in accordance with policy JDF, Discipline of Students With Disabilities.

Revised:  December, 1990             Revised:  September, 1997

Revised:  December, 1992             Revised:  August, 1999

Revised:  November, 1993              Revised:  August, 2003

Revised:  August, 1994

Ref:   42 USC 12101 (Title I, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:223, 17:224, 17:233, 17:416, 17:416.1

Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education

Pupil Appraisal Handbook, Bulletin 1508, Louisiana Department of Education

Board minutes, 10-21-03

Ascension Parish School Board