Policy 5430 – Student Conduct and Discipline

It is important that schools must be safe and free from fear, that rules be established to govern the conduct and behavior of all who work and learn in the schools, including the establishment of a Code of Classroom Conduct, and that these rules be firmly and consistently enforced throughout every school, school bus, and activity of the District.

Discipline begins in the home between the parent/guardian and student and continues in the school with the relationship between school personnel and the student. Each has the mutual responsibility for the maintenance of that discipline.

It is the objective and policy of the District to recognize, to preserve, and to protect the individual rights of all students and yet, at the same time, to encourage and enforce the exercise of these rights within the necessary framework of an orderly, efficient school process. Within this policy framework it is the duty of the School Board, the administrative staff, and the faculties of each school to prohibit and to prevent types of student conduct that constitute a menace to the continuing educational process. Behavior that becomes dangerous, disruptive, and destructive will not be tolerated.


LEGAL REF.:

  • Wisconsin Statutes
    • Section: 118.13 Student discrimination prohibited
    • 118.164 Removal of pupils from the class
    • 120.13(1) Board powers; conduct rules, suspension and expulsion
    • 121.52(2) Bus conduct rules
    • PI 9.03 Wisconsin Administrative Code (Student nondiscrimination policy requirement)

CROSS REF.:

  • 5111 Bullying
  • 5473 Student Suspension
  • 5474 Student Expulsion
  • 5475 Discipline of Students with Exceptional Educational Needs
  • Code of Classroom Conduct
  • School Handbook

ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS: 5430 – Administrative Review Committee Rules

AFFIRMED: April 13, 1991

REVISED:

  • October 13, 1992
  • February 10, 1998
  • July 13, 1999
  • Nov. 16, 2021

Rule 5430 – Student Conduct and Discipline

District schools will maintain safe learning and responsible student discipline. A safe and orderly environment is necessary for learning to take place.

Every individual throughout the District will take a direct, personal, and active responsibility for discipline. All certified staff will assume responsibility to protect this environment. Other school staff will share this responsibility as designated by the principal.

Students and parents/guardians must be aware that students are personally responsible for their behavior. This means that they will show courtesy and respect to teachers, staff members, students, and all others with whom they associate in the school. Discourtesy, disrespect, profanity, racial slurs, offensive language, and any other disruptive behavior that affects the operation of the classroom or school will not be tolerated. Behavior that becomes disruptive and destructive will also not be tolerated. Such behavior will be dealt with in a manner appropriate to the seriousness of the misbehavior and as specified in other District policies and in the Code of Classroom Conduct.

Students and parents/guardians must be aware that students face disciplinary action, including possible removal from a classroom, suspension and even expulsion any time they engage in conduct which endangers the property, health, or safety of others or disrupts the educational process and the classroom. This applies whether the student is engaged in such conduct while at or not at school or while under or not under the supervision of a school authority. Students should also know that refusal or neglect to obey District rules, the rules established by the school principal, and local, state, and federal laws could also result in disciplinary action including possible suspension or expulsion. Further, threats or false information concerning destruction of school property by means of explosives may also be grounds for disciplinary action including possible suspension or expulsion. Students who are at least 16 years old may be subject to discipline or expulsion for repeatedly engaging in conduct that disrupts the ability of school officials to maintain order or an educational atmosphere. Finally, students should be aware that state statute mandates that the District commence expulsion proceedings and expel any student who possesses a firearm while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority. Suspensions and expulsions shall be handled in accordance with state law and Board policies.

The District adopted Code of Classroom Conduct and Board approved policies are designed to ensure that a healthy and productive learning environment exists in each classroom within the District. The Code of Classroom Conduct and Board policies stipulate acceptable standards for student behavior in the classroom and define short- and long-term removal of students from the classroom. In addition to the Code of Classroom Conduct and Board policies, each principal shall develop, implement, and enforce rules concerning conduct and other factors which affect the health, safety, and welfare of the students and staff. Such school-adopted rules are subject to approval of the Superintendent of Schools/designee. Copies of the Code of Classroom Conduct, Board policies, and school-adopted rules shall be available to all students, teachers and parents/guardians via the District and/or school websites.

Students, teachers, parents/guardians and administrators should be aware that District policies and rules set fundamental guidelines concerning student behavior in certain specified instances. They do not attempt to cover all instances where student conduct may present problems. If any of the policies and rules or portions thereof are at any time determined to be in conflict with state or federal law, or found invalid by a court of law, such determination not to enforce a rule or such finding of invalidity shall not affect any other portion of the District’s policies or rules.

The principal/designee shall refer to the Administrative Review Committee any student who persistently disrupts classes, disobeys school rules and/or District policies, possesses a firearm, makes threats concerning destruction of school property by means of explosives, or who engages in conduct which endangers the property, health, or safety of others as outlined above. Recommendations for expulsions or educational alternatives shall come to the Board or the Board’s designee through the Superintendent of Schools from the Administrative Review Committee.

All certified staff will be responsible for corridor control and conduct in accordance with plans developed by the principal. Corridor supervision will include supervision of restrooms and other student used facilities and areas.

When educational support personnel are employed to assist in control of school halls, restrooms, and other areas of the school environment, their authority and responsibility will be prescribed by the principal.

Each teacher has the responsibility for ensuring that every student under the teacher’s supervision has left the classroom and to see that such facilities are properly secured.

The District shall not discriminate in standards and rules of behavior or disciplinary action, including suspension and expulsion, on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, color, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability or handicap. Discrimination complaints shall be processed in accordance with established procedures.