3410 --Community Relations 

SUBJECT:     CODE OF CONDUCT ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

         The District shall maintain and annually review, a written Code of Conduct for the Maintenance of Order on School Property (The Code of Conduct), including school functions, which shall govern the conduct of students, teachers and other school personnel, as well as visitors.  The Board of Education shall further provide for the enforcement of such Code of Conduct.

         For purposes of this policy, and the implemented Code of Conduct, school property means in or within any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, parking lot or land contained within the real property boundary line of the District's elementary or secondary schools, or in or on a school bus; and a school function shall mean a school-sponsored extracurricular event or activity regardless of where such event or activity takes place, including those that take place in another state or country.

         The District Code of Conduct has been developed in collaboration with student, teacher, administrator, and parent organizations, school safety personnel and other school personnel.

         The Code of Conduct shall include, at a minimum, the following:

a)            Provisions regarding conduct, dress and language deemed appropriate and acceptable on school property and at school functions, and conduct, dress and language deemed unacceptable and inappropriate on school property; provisions regarding acceptable civil and respectful treatment of teachers, school administrators, other school personnel, students and visitors on school property and at school functions;

b)            The appropriate range of disciplinary measures which may be imposed for violation of such Code; and the roles of teachers, administrators, other school personnel, the Board of Education and parent/guardian of the student;

c)            Standards and procedures to ensure the security and safety of students and school personnel;

d)            Provisions for the removal from the classroom and from school property, including a school function, of students and other persons who violate the Code;

e)            Provisions prescribing the period for which a disruptive student may be removed from the classroom for each incident, provided that no such student shall return to the classroom until the Principal (or his/her designated School District administrator) makes a final determination pursuant to Education Law Section 3214(3-a)(c) or the period of removal expires, whichever is less;

f)              Disciplinary measures to be taken for incidents involving the possession or use of illegal substances or weapons, the use of physical force, vandalism, violation of another student's civil rights, harassment and threats of violence;

 g)Provisions for detention, suspension and removal from the classroom of students, consistent with Education Law Section 3214 and other applicable federal, state and local laws, including provisions for school authorities to establish procedures to ensure the provision of continued educational programming and activities for students removed from the classroom, placed in detention, or suspended from school, which shall include alternative educational programs appropriate to individual student needs;

h)Procedures by which violations are reported and determined, and the disciplinary measures imposed and carried out;

i)              Provisions ensuring the Code of Conduct and its enforcement are in compliance with state and federal laws relating to students with disabilities;

j)              Provisions setting forth the procedures by which local law enforcement agencies shall be notified of Code violations which constitute a crime;

k)            Provisions setting forth the circumstances under and procedures by which parent/guardian to the student shall be notified of Code violations;

l)              Provisions setting forth the circumstances under and procedures by which a complaint in criminal court, a juvenile delinquency petition or person in need of supervision ("PINS") petition will be filed;

m)          Circumstances under and procedures by which referral to appropriate human service agencies shall be made;

n)            A minimum suspension period for students who repeatedly are substantially disruptive of the educational process or substantially interfere with the teacher's authority over the classroom, provided that the suspending authority may reduce such period on a case-by-case basis to be consistent with any other state and federal law. For purposes of this requirement, as defined in Commissioner's Regulations, "repeatedly is substantially disruptive of the educational process or substantially interferes with the teacher's authority over the classroom" shall mean engaging in conduct which results in the removal of the student from the classroom by teacher(s) pursuant to the provisions of Education Law Section 3214(3-a) and the provisions set forth in the Code of Conduct on four (4) or more occasions during a semester, or three or more occasions during a trimester, as applicable;

o)            A minimum suspension period for acts that would qualify the student to be defined as a violent student pursuant to Education Law Section 3214(2-a)(a). However, the suspending authority may reduce the suspension period on a case-by-case basis consistent with any other state and federal law;

p)            A Bill of Rights and Responsibilities of Students which focuses upon positive student behavior, and which shall be publicized and explained to all students on an annual basis; and

q)            Guidelines and programs for in-service education programs for all District staff members to ensure effective implementation of school policy on school conduct and discipline.

         The Code of Conduct has been adopted by the Board of Education only after at least one public hearing that provided for the participation of school personnel, parent/guardian, students, and any other interested parties.  Copies of the Code of Conduct shall be disseminated pursuant to law and Commissioner's Regulations.

         The District's Code of Conduct shall be reviewed on an annual basis, and updated as necessary in accordance with law.  The School Board shall reapprove any updated Code of Conduct or adopt revisions only after at least one (1) public hearing that provides for the participation of school personnel, parent/guardian and any other interested parties.

         The District shall file a copy of its Code of Conduct and all amendments to the Code with the Commissioner of Education no later than thirty (30) days after their respective adoptions.

Education Law Sections 2801 and 3214

Family Court Act Articles 3 and 7

Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 142

8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR)

Section 100.2(l)(2)

NOTE:       Refer also to following Policies:

                   #7310 - School Conduct and Discipline

                  #3411 – Unlawful Possession of a Weapon Upon School Grounds

                  #3412 – Threats of Violence in School

                  #6410 – Maintaining Discipline & Conduct

                  #7311 – Loss or Destruction of District Property or Resources

                  #7312 – Dress Code

                  #7313 – Suspension of Students

                  #7317 – Suspension of Student with Disabilities

                  #7330 – Searches and Interrogations

                  #7340 – Bus Rules & Regulations

                  #7350 – Corporal Punishment

                  #7360 – Weapons in Schools and the Gun-free Schools Act

Refer to Appendix - 3410A District Code of Conduct on School Property

Adoption Date:  September 11, 2007
Revised:  January 11, 2011