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JIC - SYSTEM-WIDE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Ethical and responsible student behavior is an essential part of the educational mission of our schools. To that end, the Board has developed this System-Wide Student Code of Conduct (Code) with input from school staff, students, parents, and the community. The Code defines our expectations for student behavior and provides the framework for a safe, orderly, and respectful learning environment.

Article 1 - Standards for Ethical and Responsible Behavior

We value decisions and actions guided by the principles of:

  • Personal integrity
  • Empathy
  • Responsibility
  • Respect for self and others

See Policy AD - Educational Philosophy

Article 2 - Code of Conduct

All students are expected to comply with the Code and all related Board policies and school rules. The Code applies to students:

  • On school property;
  • While in attendance at school or at any school-sponsored activity; or
  • At any time or place that such conduct directly and substantially interferes with the operations, discipline, or general welfare of the school.

Article 3 - General Behavior Expectations

The following expectations for student behavior are fundamental to a safe, orderly and respectful environment in our schools. Each student should:

  1. Be courteous to fellow students, staff, and visitors.
  2. Respect the rights and privileges of other students and school staff.
  3. Obey all Board policies and school rules governing student conduct.
  4. Engage with the education community.
  5. Follow directions from school staff.
  6. Cooperate with staff in maintaining school safety, order, and discipline.
  7. Attend school regularly.
  8. Meet school standards for grooming and dress.
  9. Respect the property of others, including school property and facilities.
  10. Refrain from cheating or plagiarizing the work of others.
  11. Refrain from vulgarity, profanity, obscenity, lewdness, and indecency.

Article 4 - Consequences

Violations of the Code may result in positive and restorative interventions and/or other consequences. Administrators have the discretion to tailor consequences to the facts and circumstances of the particular case. Consequences for violations will range from a verbal warning for minor misconduct up to and including expulsion for the most serious offenses.

Behavior that also violates the law may be referred to law enforcement authorities as described in Article 8.

See policies JK - Student Discipline, JKD - Suspension of Students, JKE - Expulsion of Students, and KLG - Relations with Law Enforcement Authorities

Article 5 - Expectations

The following is a summary of the school unit's expectations for student behavior. In many cases, the Board has adopted policies that address these expectations in greater detail. Students, parents, and others should refer to the policies and student handbooks for more information about the expectations and consequences. In case of an inconsistency between Board policies and/or school handbooks, Board policies will prevail.

  1. Violence and Threats

    Students shall not engage in violent or threatening behavior. Prohibited behavior includes fighting, assault and/or battery, taking hostages, threats to commit violence against persons or property, and threats, intimidation, or harassment. Violations may result in consequences up to and including expulsion.

    See policies JICIA - Weapons, Violence, and School Safety, JICK - Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention in Schools, and EBCC - Bomb Threats

  2. Weapons

    Students shall not possess or use weapons of any kind (examples include but are not limited to firearms, explosives, and knives). Students also shall not use any object, although not necessarily designed to be a weapon, to inflict bodily harm and/or to threaten, intimidate, coerce, or harass another person (examples include but are not limited to bats, lighters, tools, and toy weapons).

    Firearms violations will result in expulsion in accordance with state and federal statutes; other weapons violations may result in consequences up to and including expulsion.

    See policy JICIA- Weapons, Violence, and School Safety

  3. Hazing

    Hazing is prohibited. Maine law defines injurious hazing as "any action or situation, including harassing behavior, that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of any school personnel or a student enrolled in a public school". No student shall plan, encourage, or engage in such activities in connection with any school program or activity, including extracurricular and co-curricular activities. Students who engage in hazing activities are subject to suspension, expulsion and/or other appropriate consequences.

    See policy ACAD - Hazing

  4. Discrimination and Harassment/Sexual Harassment

    Students shall not discriminate against other students on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, ancestry, national origin or disability. Nor should students harass one another on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, ancestry, national origin, or disability. Sexual harassment is also prohibited. Harassment is grounds for consequences up to and including expulsion.

    See policies AC- Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action and ACAA - Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students

  5. Bullying and Cyberbullying

    Bullying includes, but is not limited to, a written, oral, or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof directed at a student or students that:

    1. Has, or a reasonable person would expect to have, the effect of:
      1. Physically harming a student or damaging a student's property; or
      2. Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical harm or damage to the student's property;
    2. Interferes with the rights of a student by:
    3. Creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment for the student; or
    4. Interfering with the student's academic performance or ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school; or
    5. Is based on specified actual or perceived characteristics or association with persons with these actual or perceived characteristics.

    Bullying and Cyberbullying is grounds for disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.

    See policies ACAA - Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students, JICK - Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention in Schools

  6. Use of Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, and Other Prohibited Substances

    Students shall not consume, possess, furnish, sell, receive, buy, manufacture, or be under the influence of prohibited substances as described in Board policy. Violations may result in consequences up to and including expulsion from school.

    See policy JICH - Student Use of Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, and Other Prohibited Substances

  7. Conduct on School Buses

    Students must comply with all Board policies and school rules while on school buses. Students who violate these policies and rules on a school bus may have their riding privileges suspended or revoked, and may also be subject to additional consequences, up to and including expulsion, depending upon the particular violation.

    See policy JICC - Student Conduct on School Buses

  8. Computer/Internet Use

    Students are expected to practice good digital citizenship. Students may use school computers, networks, and internet services only for educational purposes and other purposes authorized by the school unit. Students shall comply with all policies and rules governing acceptable use.

    Unacceptable use may result in use restrictions, suspension, or cancellation of computer privileges as well as additional consequences and/or legal action.

    See policies IJNDB - Student Computer and Internet Use and JICK - Bullying and Cyberbullying in Schools

  9. Co-Curricular/Extracurricular Code of Conduct

    Students must follow all Board policies and school rules while participating in co-curricular and extracurricular activities. In addition, a separate Code of Conduct governs the behavior of students participating in these activities. Students who violate the High School Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Activities Eligibility and Code of Conduct policy may be subject to suspension or removal from the team/activity as well as additional consequences under applicable Board policies and/or school rules.

    See policy JJJ - High School Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Eligibility Requirements and Code of Conduct

Article 6- Removal of Disruptive Violent/Threatening Students

  1. Students who are disruptive, violent, or threaten death or bodily harm to themselves or others may be removed from classrooms, school buses, or other school property when necessary to maintain order and safety. The staff member who orders the student removed should arrange to have the student escorted to the office or other designated location.

    1. If a student does not comply with a staff member's order to leave, the staff member will contact an administrator, or if not available, another suitable person, who shall respond promptly.
    2. The responding administrator will take appropriate action.
    3. Any use of physical restraint or seclusion of students must comply with applicable regulations and Board policy.

    See 20-A MRS§ 4009 - Protection from Liability, Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, MDOE Rule Chapter 33 - Physical Restraint and Seclusion of Students, and policy JKAA - Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion

Article 7- Special Services

  1. Referral: The school unit has adopted policies and procedures for determining when a student shall be referred for special services.

    See policies IHBAA- Referral/Pre-Referral of Students with Disabilities and IHBAC- Child Find

  2. Review of Individual Educational Plan (IEP): The school shall schedule an IEP meeting to review the IEP of a student who has been removed from class when:

    1. School officials and/or the parent believes that a student may present a substantial likelihood of injury to themselves or others;
    2. The class removals are sufficient to constitute a change in the student's special education program; or
    3. School officials or the parent believes that the student's behavior may warrant a change in educational programming.

    See policy JKF - Disciplinary Removals of Students with Disabilities

Article 8- Assistance of Law Enforcement Authorities

The Superintendent and administrators have the authority to make reports to and/or seek the assistance of law enforcement authorities when there is a substantial threat to the safety, health, or welfare of the schools, students, or staff.

See policy KLG - Relations with Law Enforcement Authorities

Article 9 - Dissemination of System-Wide Student Code of Conduct

The System-Wide Student Code of Conduct shall be distributed to staff, students, and parents through handbooks and/or other means selected by the Superintendent and building administrators.

  • 20-A MRS§§ 254 (11); 1001 (15), (15-A)

Cross Reference:

Adopted:

  • June 10, 2008

Revised:

  • December 11, 2012
  • November 18, 2014
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