MJUSD
DIVISION 5000
STUDENTS
CONDUCT BP 5131(a)
The Governing Board believes that all students have the right to be educated in a positive learning environment free from disruptions. Students shall be expected to exhibit appropriate conduct that does not infringe upon the rights of others or interfere with the school program while on school grounds, going to or coming from school, at school activities, or using district transportation.
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that each school develops standards of conduct and discipline consistent with Board policies and administrative regulations. Students and parents/guardians shall be notified of district and school rules related to conduct.
Prohibited student conduct includes, but is not limited to:
-
conduct that endangers students, staff, or others, including, but not limited to, physical violence, possession of a firearm or other weapon, and terrorist threats;
-
discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying of students or staff, including sexual harassment, hate-motivated behavior, cyberbullying, hazing or initiation activity, extortion, or any other verbal, written, or physical conduct that causes or threatens to cause violence, bodily harm, or substantial disruption;
-
conduct that disrupts the orderly classroom or school environment;
-
willful defiance of staff's authority;
-
damage to or theft of property belonging to students, staff, or the district;
The District shall not be responsible for students' personal belongings which are brought on campus or to a school activity and are lost, stolen, or damaged.
-
obscene acts or use of profane, vulgar, or abusive language;
-
possession, use, or being under the influence of tobacco, alcohol, or other prohibited drugs;
-
possession or use of a laser pointer, unless used for a valid instructional or other school-related purpose;
Prior to bringing a laser pointer on school premises for a valid instructional or school-related purpose, a students shall obtain permission from the principal or designee.
-
use of a cellular/digital telephone, pager, or other mobile communications device during instructional time;
Such devices shall be turned off in class, except when being used for a valid instructional or other school-related purpose as determined by the teacher or other district employee, and at any other time directed by a district employee. Any device with camera, video, or voice recording function shall not be used in any manner which infringes on the privacy rights of any other person.
No student shall be prohibited from possessing or using an electronic signaling device that is determined by a licensed physician or surgeon to be essential for the student's health and the use of which is limited to purposes related to the student's health.
-
plagiarism or dishonesty on school work or tests;
-
inappropriate attire;
-
tardiness or unexcused absence from school;
-
failure to remain on school premises in accordance with school rules.
Employees are expected to provide appropriate supervision to enforce standards of conduct and, if they observe or receive a report of a violation of these standards, to immediately intervene or call for assistance. If an employee believes a matter has not been resolved, he/she shall refer the matter to his/her supervisor or administrator for further investigation.
When a school official suspects that a search of a student or his/her belongings will turn up evidence of the student's violation of the law or school rules, such a search shall be conducted in accordance with BP/AR 5145.12 - Search and Seizure.
When a student uses any prohibited device, or uses a permitted device in any unethical or illegal activity, a district employee may confiscate the device. The employee shall store the item in a secure manner until an appropriate time.
Students who violate district or school rules and regulations may be subject to discipline including, but not limited to, suspension, expulsion, transfer to alternative programs, referral to a student success team or counseling services, or denial of participation in extracurricular or cocurricular activities in accordance with Board policy and administrative regulation. The Superintendent or designee shall notify local law enforcement as appropriate.
Students also may be subject to discipline, in accordance with law, Board policy, or administrative regulation for any off-campus conduct during nonschool hours which poses a threat or danger to the safety of students, staff, or district property, or substantially disrupts school activities.
Legal Reference:
Education Code
200-262.4 Prohibition of discrimination
32261 Bullying
35181 Governing board policy on responsibilities of students
35291-35291.5 Rules
44807 Duty concerning conduct of students
48900-48925 Suspension or expulsion, especially:
48908 Duties of students
51512 Prohibition use of electronic listening or recording device in classroom without permission
Civil Code
1714.1 Liability of parents and guardians for willful misconduct of minor
Penal Code
417.25-417.27 Laser scope
Code of Regulations, Title 5
300-307 Duties of pupils
United States Code, Title 42
2000h-2000h6 Title IX, 1972 Education Act Amendments
United States Code, Title 47
254 Universal service discounts (e-rate)
Court Decisions
Emmett v. Kent School District No. 415, (2000) 92 F.Supp. 1088
Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser, (1986) 478 U.S. 675
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, (1969) 393 U.S. 503
Management Resources:
CSBA Publications
Cyberbullying: Policy Considerations for Boards, Policy Brief, July 2007
California Department of Education Publications
Bullying at School, 2003
National School Boards Association Publications
Digital Discipline: Off-Campus Student Conduct, the First Amendment and Web Sites, School Law in Review, 2001
National School Safety Center Publications
Set Straight on Bullies,1989
U.S. Department of Education Publications
Preventing Bullying: A Manual for Schools and Communities, 1998
Web Sites
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Coalition for Children's Internet Safety: http://www.cybersafety.ca.gov
California Department of Education, Safe Schools Office: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss
Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use: http://csriu.org and http://cyberbully.org
National School Boards Association: http://www.nsba.org
National School Safety Center: http://www.schoolsafety.us
NetSmartz: http://www.netsmartz.org
U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov
First Reading: 4/17/13
Governing Board Adoption: 5/8/13