Code of Student Conduct
A state's education (usually district school) system is embodied in the state's statutes, and wherein provision is made for the county educational units, special school districts or units, and the management, control, operation, administration, and supervision of the school systems as a whole. As a direct adjunct thereto, each school system (usually each county) also elects a school board, whose functions include the management of the school system, and the invocation of all rights, duties, and powers related to the operation of a school district that are not otherwise abrogated by general law or the state constitution. These rules and regulations include the development of codes and regulations of student conduct, which themselves include the following items:
• Consistent policies of, and specific grounds for, student disciplinary action, including levels of enforcement and disciplinary (penalty measures), in-house suspension, out-of-school suspension, and expulsion
• Punishments appropriate for any student found to be in the possession of contraband or illegal items of any sort
• Procedures to be followed for any student act that requires discipline, including corporal punishment if the local rules and state statutes so allow
• An explanation of the student's rights and responsibilities related to attendance, respect for persons and property, free speech, student publications, student assembly, student privacy, and participation in student programs and activities
• Notice that the illegal use, possession, or sale of controlled substances while involved in school activities may result in disciplinary measures and even criminal prosecution
• Notice that the possession of a weapon (e.g., firearm, knife) while involved in any school activity may be grounds for disciplinary action or even criminal prosecution
• Notice that violence against any school personnel or other student is grounds for disciplinary measures, or perhaps criminal sanctions
• Notice that violation of school board transportation policies (for example, disruptive behavior while riding a school bus, or while involved in a school sponsored activity) may result in a suspension of the student's transportation privileges, and may also result in disciplinary measures, or perhaps criminal sanctions
• Notice that violation of the school system's discrimination or harassment policies may be grounds for disciplinary penalties, or even criminal prosecution
• Notice that disruptive students may, in lieu of expulsion or long-term suspension, be relegated to an alternative educational program within the school system
As collateral matters, many school systems have adopted, pursuant to their state statutes, programs dealing with school resource (law enforcement) officers who are employed to, literally, keep the peace within the school premises, and who are, at all times, under the direct supervision of the school principal, as well as programs and policies of "zero tolerance for crime and substance abuse," which include the reporting of delinquent acts and crimes that might occur whenever a student is under the supervision and jurisdiction of the local school district.
