It is fundamental that orderly schools have clearly defined behaviors to which students must conform. Nonconformity to these behaviors becomes violations of the code of student conduct. Violations are grouped into four classes (Class I, Class II, Class III, and Class IV) which range from the least to the most serious. Appropriate school personnel shall investigate, verify and determine classification of student conduct on a school campus, at school-related events, or while being transported to or from school-related events.

Below is a listing of each class of violations and possible sanctions. As the violations increase in seriousness, the severity of the possible sanctions increases.

CLASS I VIOLATIONS

1.01 Distraction of other students
1.02 Intimidation of a student
1.03 Illegal organizations-any on-campus participation in fraternities, sororities, secret societies, gangs, or other unauthorized school clubs.
1.04 Unexcused tardiness-reporting late to class
1.05 Non-direct use of profane language or obscene manifestations (see 2.08)
1.06 Non-conformity of dress code (inappropriate gang related dress)

5.7 DRESS AND DECORUM

The policy of the Blount County Board of Education is that good grooming and personal appearances are essential elements in the teaching and learning process. Therefore, it is expected that students dress in such a manner that will ensure health and safety, and not detract from the learning environment. Furthermore, dress and personal appearance are not to be disruptive or interfere with the educational interest and welfare of the students or the purposes of public school education.

Any student violating the dress code may be suspended for the remainder of the school day and may receive unexcused absences in the classes missed. The principal or his/her designated person(s) has the authority to determine inappropriate dress.

Repeat offenders are subject to further disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the principal/designee.

(A) Student Dress Code

Students must be neatly dressed, clean, and well groomed while at school. Clothing must be suited for school activities.

Students in grades K-12 are prohibited from wearing excessively loose clothing including shirts, tops, pants, and shorts.

Pants should be of the appropriate size in the waist and inseam. Pants are not allowed that sag off the hips.

Trench coats are also prohibited.

Students in grades 4-12 are prohibited from wearing short shorts, short culottes, sheer mesh or net clothing, backless clothing, extremely tight pants, tank tops or muscle shirts, or clothing that exposes a bare midriff. Shirts must be buttoned. For students in grades 4-12, clothing, cuts, slits, or tears in clothing should not exceed four inches above the knee. (1) extremely tight clothing shall be prohibited.

Clothing or any item attached to or worn on clothing or on a person's body, with pictures, symbols, or writing conveying a message about alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, having a sexual connotation, containing any obscenity, or containing any foul or abusive language is prohibited on the school campus. No writing on the back (seat) of pants, jeans, shorts, sweatpants (K-3) etc. This should include K-12 boys and girls, cheerleaders and athletes.

Shoes or sandals must be worn.

Hats, headwear or head coverings, and sunglasses are not to be worn inside school buildings.

Students will be prohibited from wearing any apparel which is inappropriate or disruptive to the learning environment as determined by the principal.

1.07 Disruption on a school bus
1.08 Inappropriate display of affection-including, but not limited to, embracing and kissing
1.09 Refusal to complete class assignments-including continued failure to bring materials to class
1.10 Failure to follow appropriate directives from a board of education employee (Administrator, teacher, counselor, teacher’s aide, substitute teacher, bus driver etc.)
1.11 Unauthorized use of school or personal property (radios, CD players, electronic games)
1.12 Littering of school property
1.13 Inappropriate displays of behavior-horseplay, shoving, tripping, rudeness-in hall, classroom, lunchroom, assembly, pep rally and/or other school-sponsored function
1.14 Vehicular violations (sitting in vehicle, going to vehicle without permission)

*Any other violation which the principal may deem reasonable to fall within this category after investigation and consideration of extenuating circumstances.

CLASS I DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Administrative responses for Class I violations may include, but are not limited to:
Conference with student
Verbal reprimand
Written assignments
School/Community service
Withdrawal of privilege(s)
Parent Conference(s)
Temporary removal from class (including prohibiting student from attending special events, i.e. field trips)
Detention
In-school suspension
Corporal Punishment
Bus suspension
Saturday School
Other sanction(s) deemed necessary or appropriate by school administration

CLASS II-VIOLATIONS

2.01 Insubordination, defiance, disrespectful of board of education employee’s authority; any verbal or non-verbal refusal to comply with a lawful direction of board of education employee
2.02 Vandalism/property damage-Intentional damage to public property ( i.e. desks, tables, bus seats); or real property of others; in all cases student shall make monetary restitution for damages.
2.03 Theft of property $50.00 or less
2.04 Gambling- any participation in games of chance for money and/or other things of value such as flipping coins, matching etc.
2.05 Possession of stolen property with the knowledge that it is stolen
2.06 Threats/extortion/harassment/bullying.
2.07 Trespassing/Illegal school entry- Breaking, entering or remaining in a structure or conveyance without jurisdiction and/or supervision during the hours the premises are closed to the public
2.08 Direct use or repeated non-direct use of profane language, obscene manifestation (verbal, written, electronic, gesture directed toward another person – (see 1.05) and/or possession of inappropriate or pornographic material
2.09 Malicious mischief or graffiti on school property or buses
2.10 Unauthorized absence from school and/or class/skipping
2.11 Written or verbal proposition to engage in sexual acts
2.12 Touching of another person (offensive touching or touching with sexual connotation)
2.13 Possession of and/or use of matches or lighters
2.14 Possession of/or use of electronic pager, laser light pointer or unauthorized communication device (includes electronic equipment-radios, stereos, tape decks, CD equipment, electronic games, wireless phones etc.)
2.15 Providing false information to a board of education employee-intentionally providing false information to a school board employee including giving false student information or concealment of information directly relating to school business. This includes forgery of school notes, re-admittance slips, tardy slips, excuse slips, report cards, hall passes, field trip forms, notes from parents or guardians, or any other material required by the school.
2.16 Dishonesty and cheating
2.17 Unsafe/unlicensed driving on school property or other violations of the school parking/driving rules
2.18 Engaging in any act that is deemed harmful, including acts of aggression and practical jokes
2.19 Harassment-speech or other expression (written, electronic or gestures) intended to insult or stigmatize others on the basis of their sex, race, color, disability, religion, sexual orientation or national and ethnic origin. (Use of racial insults or slurs)
2.20 Violation of Medication Policy-(possession and/or use of prescription or non-prescription medication, inhalants, or over the counter products without following proper procedure.)
2.21 Multiple Class I violations will result in Class II sanctions

*Any other violation the principal deems reasonable to fall within this category after investigation and consideration of extenuating circumstances

CLASS II DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Administrative responses for Class II violations may include, but are not limited to:

Temporary removal from class (including prohibiting students from attending school functions such as field trips etc.)
Detention
In-school suspension
Corporal punishment
Saturday school
Out of school suspension
Alternative education program
Referral to outside agency
Expulsion
Other sanction(s) deemed necessary or appropriate by school administration

Subsequent violations may result in suspension up to five (5) school days plus additional disciplinary action as warranted. Special circumstances may warrant referral to the Alternative School, or the filing of a CHINS, Delinquent, or Dependent Complaint or Petition in Juvenile Court.

CLASS III VIOLATIONS

3.01 Fighting on school grounds, buses or school-related functions or events
3.02 Inciting or participating in major student disorder-leading, encouraging or assisting in disruption which results in destruction or damage of private property or personal injury to participants or others.
3.03 Unjustified activation of fire alarm system or fire extinguisher
3.04 Possession, Sale or Use of tobacco products. First offense, one day suspension, second offense, 2 weeks alternative school, third offense, disciplinary hearing.
3.04 a Tobacco products, use
3.04 b Tobacco products, possession
3.04 c Tobacco products, sale
3.05 Unauthorized use of school computers/violation of Internet policy.
3.06 Indecent exposure of the human body on school property, buses or at school-sponsored events or functions.
3.07 Extortion-the act of obtaining service, money or information by the use of threats
3.08 Aggressive contact/assault which causes physical harm
3.09 Robbery-The taking of money or other property (may subject the student to larceny) from the person or custody of another by force, violence, assault, or putting in fear of same. Restitution will be required.
3.10 Theft of property-The intentional unlawful taking and/or carrying away of property valued at $50.00 or more belonging to or in the lawful possession or custody of another. Restitution will be required.
3.11 Possession, sale, use, furnishing, or giving of a prohibited item not listed above.
3.11 a Possession of a prohibited item not listed above
3.11 b Sale of a prohibited item not listed above
3.11 c Use of a prohibited item not listed above
3.11 d Giving of a prohibited item not listed above
3.12 Threats, harassment, intimidation, bullying
3.13 Multiple Class I and II violations will result in Class III sanctions

*Any other offense which the principal may deem reasonable to fall within this category after investigation and consideration of extenuating circumstances

CLASS III DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS
Administrative responses for Class III violations may include, but are not limited to:

Out-of-school suspension
Alternative education program
Referral to outside agency, including the criminal justice system
Expulsion hearing
Restitution of property and damages where appropriate
Other sanctions deemed necessary or appropriate by school administration

CLASS IV VIOLATIONS
4.01 Sexual offense-Acts of a sexual nature which occur on school property, school buses or when the student is in attendance at a school sanctioned activity. These acts include but are not limited to battery, indecent exposure, intercourse with a student, attempted rape, or rape.
4.02 Assault/Battery on another person (student, teacher, staff member, visitor, etc). The unlawful and intentional touching or striking of a school board employee against his/her will or the intentional causing of bodily harm to a school board employee. In accordance with the Code of Alabama, 16-1-24(b) (c), the principal shall notify appropriate law enforcement when any student violates board policy concerning physical harm or threatened physical harm against another student or employee of the Board.
4.03 Possession of a weapon-students are prohibited from bringing to the school campus, having in their possession on campus, on the bus or personal vehicle, or in their lockers any lethal weapon or facsimile, including but not limited to a firearm, bomb, fireworks, explosives, knife, hunting knife, bayonet, razor, razor blade, letter opener, ice pick, hat pin, metallic knuckles, tear gas gun, throwing star, chemical weapon or devise, pepper gas or any other weapon, instrument or object
4.03 a Knife, possession
4.03 b Knife, sale
4.03 c Knife, use
4.03 d Other weapon, possession
4.03 e Other weapon, sale
4.03 f Other Weapon, use
4.04 Possession, sale and/or igniting explosive device
4.04 a Explosive/incendiary or poison gas, possession
4.04 b Explosive/incendiary or poison gas, sale
4.04 c Explosive/incendiary or poison gas, use
4.05 Possession of Firearms – any firearm (including a starter gun which will, or is designed to, or may already be convert to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive), the frame or receivers of any such weapon, with intent to do bodily harm on School System property, including a school bus, is a Class C felony. In accordance with the Code of Alabama, 16-1-24.1 (b) (c), the principal shall notify appropriate law enforcement officials when any student violates Board policy concerning physical harm or threatened physical harm against another student or employee of the Board.
4.05 a Firearm, possession
4.05 b Firearm, sale
4.05 c Firearm, use
4.06 Crimes as defined under the laws of the city, county, State of Alabama, or United States
4.07 Arson-the willful and malicious burning of any school property. In accordance with the Code of Alabama, 16-1-24.1 (e) (2), parents are liable for damages to school property cause by their child (children).
4.08 Unlawful sale, purchase, furnishing or giving or possession of a) prescribed/non prescribed drugs (see definition and exceptions under Drugs and Medication ) b) illegal drug paraphernalia or c) alcoholic beverage-In accordance with the Code of Alabama 16.1.24.1 (b) (c) the principal shall notify appropriate law enforcement officials when any student violates Board policy concerning drugs and/or alcohol.
4.08 a Alcohol, possession
4.08 b Alcohol, sale
4.08 c Alcohol, use
4.08 d Alcohol, furnishing or giving
4.08 e Drugs, possession
4.08 f Drugs, sale
4.08 g Drugs, use
4.08 h Drugs, furnishing or giving
4.09 Bomb Threat- Any such communication concerning school board property that has the effect of interrupting the educational environment. Any student found to have made a bomb threat or to have falsely reported such a threat that is related to any school system facility, operation, or activity is subject to immediate expulsion procedures. Any student who stands by and aides, abets, or assists another person to make a bomb threat or to falsely report such a threat that is related to any school system facility, operation or activities is subject to immediate expulsion procedures. Any student who counsels, advises, persuades, encourages, or dares another person to make a bomb threat or to falsely report such a threat that is related to any school system, facility, operation or activity is subject to immediate expulsion procedures.
4.10 Multiple Class II and Class III violations will result in Class IV sanctions.

Class IV DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS
All 5 steps apply.
1. Parent/guardian notification and conference
2. Notify the local police ( or sheriff)
3. Notify Juvenile Justice authority
4. Immediate suspension pending a hearing (within 5 (five) school days)
5. Initiation of procedures for an Administrative Hearing to consider a recommendation to the Superintendent of action(s) ranging from placement in an Alternative School to a recommendation for expulsion.

School principals must notify appropriate law enforcement officials when any person violates local board of education policies concerning drugs, alcohol, bomb threats, weapons, physical harm to a person, or threatened physical harm to a person. If that person is a student enrolled, the local school system shall immediately suspend that student from attending regular classes and schedule a hearing at the earliest possible date which shall not be later than five school days. The decision to initiate disciplinary action and/or initiate criminal charges against a student shall include a review and consideration of the student’s exceptional status, if applicable. Code of Alabama 16-1-14 (1975)