Discipline+Policy

__DISCIPLINE POLICY__
Having clear rules of student conduct which are fairly and consistently enforced can help to achieve a safe, healthy, and orderly environment in which students can best learn and teachers effectively teach. Thus, the Newton-Conover Board of Education supports high expectations for conduct and extends authority to the administration of the high school to use its discretion in issuing consequences to students in grades 6—12 who violate them.

THESE RULES OF CONDUCT APPLY TO ALL NEWTON-CONOVER MIDDLE / HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT ALL TIMES WHEN THEY ARE…

• On school grounds, in school buildings, or on school-provided • transportation; or • Away from school grounds or school buildings when representing the school at a school activity

The administration will select an appropriate consequence from such choices as afternoon detention, Saturday detention, in-school suspension, suspension, and referral to an alternate school. In addition, for certain offenses, students will lose driving privileges for a set time period. Consequences for any and all rule violations vary and will escalate relative to the severity and frequency of the infraction.

Infractions of the conduct expectations include the following offenses:


 * LEVEL I**

Level I violations will result in a variety of consequences, including warning, parent conference, afternoon detention, **Saturday detention,** loss of driving privileges, in-school suspension, out of school suspension, bus suspension, or recommendation to an alternative setting.

CD players and other devices) Unauthorized visit to the parking lot
 * Abusive language or gestures
 * Profanity
 * Public display of affection
 * Breaking lunch line
 * Inappropriate conduct
 * Class disruption or disturbance
 * Possession of electronic devices (beepers, cell phones, jam boxes, games,
 * Inappropriate dress
 * Gambling
 * Failure to sign in or out
 * Failure to attend teacher detention
 * Failure to attend afternoon detention
 * Forgery
 * Food / beverages in unauthorized areas
 * Knowingly providing false information
 * Tardies to classes and / or school
 * Inappropriate computer use
 * Horseplay

Note: Upon the third ISS assignment, a letter will be sent to the parents stating that any additional infractions will automatically result in suspension from school. No student may accumulate more than 3 Saturday detentions or 3 in-school suspensions per semester.


 * LEVEL II**

Consequences for Level 2 offenses are more severe, ranging from parent conference, Saturday detention, in-school suspension to out-of-school suspension ( 1- 3 days), loss of driving privileges, Bus suspension and / or alternate school referral.


 * Insubordination (See definition below)*Inciting, aiding or abetting a fight
 * Throwing inappropriate objects
 * Failure to attend Saturday detention
 * Inappropriate conduct on a school or activity bus
 * Trespassing or loitering on campus
 * Assault on another student – stop on command
 * Aggressive behavior towards another student
 * Acts of dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, lying and stealing)
 * Truancy (leaving class/campus without permission)
 * Violation of the N-CHS Honor Code

Definitions: adult in a supervisory role.
 * Insubordination: Failure to comply with a reasonable request by an


 * LEVEL III**

Level III offenses are of a more serious nature; therefore, consequences are more severe, ranging from in-school suspension to out-of-school suspension ( 3-5 days), loss of driving privileges, bus suspension /expulsion, and / or alternate school referral.

comments, jokes, or gestures that have sexual connotations; and touching, grabbing, or pinching in a sexual way. School staff will actively investigate all reported sexual harassment complaints.)
 * Sexual harassment (The following are examples of sexual harassment, but are not inclusive:
 * Sexual misconduct
 * Harassment and / or hazing of others (See definition)
 * Profanity and / or obscene gestures towards staff
 * Tobacco possession or use
 * Theft from student, teacher, or school
 * Vandalism under $50
 * Threats against students and staff
 * Extortion
 * Fighting (requiring staff intervention)
 * Refusal to obey administrative staff

**LEVEL IV**
Level IV offenses are of such a serious nature that they will result in immediate suspension from school for no less than 10 days. In addition, law enforcement officials will be notified; and the administration will recommend long-term suspension for the remainder of the semester and/ or school year.

Level IV violations include but are not limited to the following: or any controlled substance.
 * Any offense that falls under the Safe Schools Act
 * Possession or use of fireworks or other explosive devices*Possession or use of a gun, firearm, bomb, explosive
 * Extremely volatile behavior that threatens the safety of students and / or staff
 * Aggressive behavior against administration or staff
 * Assault / battery on administration or staff
 * Possession or use of a firearm
 * Sexual assault of any nature
 * Possession, consumption / use, sale, distribution of alcohol, prescription drugs,
 * Bomb Threat or Hoax
 * Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs on campus or school activities
 * Possession or sale of stolen property
 * Arson
 * Discharging of fire safety equipment or setting off false fire alarm
 * Trespassing (including students under suspension)
 * Vandalism in excess of $50
 * Theft / burglary in excess of $50

-- //Items below the line are from a later section in the handbook//

__**AFTER-SCHOOL DETENTION AND SATURDAY DETENTION**__
The Newton-Conover High School After School Detention and Saturday Detention are designed to provide alternatives to out-of-school suspensions (OSS). Students assigned to these programs are disciplined for inappropriate behavior without the consequences of missed class time. Rules and procedures for after school study hall (afternoon detention), In School Suspension, Saturday detention and attendance make up are found on pages 55-57 of this handbook. SUSPENSION, DISMISSAL, AND EXPULSIONThe suspension and/or expulsion of a student from school are viewed by the principal as the most serious form of student punishment. The basis for suspension and expulsion of students in the public schools is outlined in G.S. 114C-391. The grounds for suspension and/or expulsion shall be the violation of policies as described in the Code of Conduct.

G.S. 115C-391. The principal of a school or his designee shall have the authority to suspend for a period of ten (10) days or less any student who willfully violates policies of conduct established by the local Board of Education provided that a student suspended pursuant to this subsection shall be provided an opportunity to take any quarterly, semester, or grading period examinations missed during the suspension period.

The principal of a school may recommend to the superintendent a long term suspension for periods of time in excess of ten (10) days, but not exceeding the time remaining in the school year, any pupil who willfully violates the policies of conduct established by the local Board of Education. If the suspension is for more than ten (10) days, the pupil or his parents may appeal the decision of the principal to the local Board of Education.

The Newton-Conover Board of Education reserves the right to authorize appropriate disciplinary action against any student (K-12) for the commission of any act(s) in violation of any civil law, even though such act(s) may not be expressly prohibited in the Code of Conduct or otherwise be addressed in Board policies.

Any suspension by a principal shall be reported immediately in writing to the parent of the student.

A suspended student is prohibited from entering any school or any school grounds (except for a pre-arranged conference with an administrator), attending any day or night school functions, including weekend functions, of the Newton-Conover City Schools, or riding a school bus during the term of the suspension. Violation of this provision shall be cause for additional disciplinary action.

The Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the superintendent, shall have the authority to expel a student from the school system under provisions of G.S. 115C0391 and G.S. 115C-112.

__**Short-Term Suspension**__ When a student is suspended for a period of ten (10) days or less, the student shall be given written or oral notice of the charges against him/her.

If the student denies the charges, he/she shall be given an explanation of the evidence against him/her and shall be given an opportunity to present his/her side of the story.

There need be no delay between the time notice is given and the time of hearing the student’s side of the story.

If a student’s presence poses a continuing danger to persons or property or is an ongoing threat of disrupting the academic process, he/she may be removed immediately from school. In such cases, the necessary notice and hearing shall follow when practical.

The principal or his/her agent shall make every effort to hold a conference with the parents before or at the time the student returns to school.The principal or his/her agent shall attempt to secure written statements and keep on file all documents and relevant information received about the student’s misconduct.

__**Long-Term Suspension**__ When the student is suspended for a period in excess of ten (10) days, the superintendent must give written notice of such suspension or dismissal to the parents or guardian of the student as soon as possible. The notice shall include:

A statement of the charges against the student. A statement that the student, his/her parents, and their attorney or representative, may request a full hearing before the Board of Education. Notice that the student, his/her parents, or their representative may examine all exhibits or other evidence against the student including his academic file. Notice that the student has the right at his/her expense to be represented by counsel or other representative at the hearing. Notice that the student or his/her representative has the right to confront and examine witnesses at the hearing. Notice that the student or his/her representative has the right to attend the hearing and to present evidence on the student’s behalf. Notice that the student or his/her representative has the right to make a record of the hearing.

__**Right of Appeal**__

In the event of a suspension of ten days or more, the student or his/her parents or representative shall notify the Board in writing that they desire a hearing to be held before a quorum of the Board within a reasonable time after receiving the notice of the request for a hearing.

__**Re-Admission Upon Appeal**__

Upon receipt by the Board of Education of written notice of appeal from a dismissal or suspension for more than ten (10) school days, the principal of a school may, at his/her discretion, upon the determination that such student is not a menace to the school, re-admit the student to classes for the remainder of the dismissal or suspension period pending the determination of the appeal.

__**Procedure for Appeal**__

The hearing for dismissal of students shall be held in an open public hearing or closed executive session as allowed by law.

Students at such hearings may speak in their own defense and may be questioned on their own testimony, but they may choose not to testify. In such case, they shall not be punished for such refusal, and such refusal shall not be held against them.

The Board shall provide for the making of a record of any information presented to it at the hearing. The superintendent will keep statements and other written matter presented to the Board on file. At the hearing, the principal, teacher, or other persons involved shall present the evidence against the student, and the Board shall take such evidence into consideration.

Members of the Board of Education, the student, his/her parents or their representative, or the Board’s attorney, may question witnesses about any matters logically relevant to the charge against the student and the proper disposition of the matter. The Board has the authority to limit long or irrelevant questioning by non-Board members.If the Board finds it necessary to have a witness appear before it, and the witness refuses after being requested to appear, the Board may authorize the use of the subpoena power granted to it by G.S. 115C-45 to compel the presence of the witness, and the hearing may be continued for the purpose of the exercise of such power. The Board shall reach its decision upon whether the student violated a rule of conduct by a majority vote. The decision must be made solely on the evidence presented at the hearing and should state substantial findings of fact on which the Board’s decision rests. If no misconduct is found, the matter is terminated, and no further action may be taken against the student because of his/her alleged violation.

When misconduct is found, the disposition made by the Board and the punishment imposed may range from no action through the entire scope of counseling attempts and possible penalties including expulsion for the remainder of the school year.

Minority views should be noted if the minority Board members so request. An adverse decision by the Board of Education may be appealed to a court of law. The decision of the Board shall be in writing.