P5112 Student Classroom Discipline

It is the intent of the Board of Education to ensure a safe, orderly, and nurturing learning environment for all students in Unified School District No. 259. The authority, responsibility, and accountability to ensure appropriate student behavior in the classroom and on school campus are granted to each teacher. This policy is intended to distinguish between the existing procedures used for less flagrant behaviors and those behaviors that are intolerable and totally unacceptable by the classroom teacher. The teacher may at their discretion deem student behavior inappropriate and take the necessary actions to ensure a safe and nurturing learning environment. The provisions of this policy apply to all teachers and all students in the district. 

Administrative Implemental Procedures: 

1. The teacher is responsible for maintaining a safe and nurturing environment in the classroom. The provisions of all other policies relating to student discipline remain in effect. 
2. An agreement of expected the parent and student will sign behavior at the time of enrollment. Staff members will not be responsible for parental failure to acknowledge or failure to sign the agreement. 
3. This policy may not be enacted prior to having on record a signed agreement with parents or retaining evidence that the parent refused to cooperate. 
4. When in the judgment of the classroom teacher a student’s conduct disrupts the classroom or invades the rights of others and has been documented as disrupting the ability of the teacher to maintain an appropriate learning atmosphere in the classroom, the teacher may: 
   1. On the first occasion remove the student from the classroom for a period not to exceed one period or one-half day, depending on whether or not the teacher has the student under direct supervision on a period basis or an entire day. The student would be sent to the principal’s office for appropriate disposition. During this period of time, the student may not return to the classroom without the teacher’s consent. 
   2. On the second occasion remove the student from the classroom for two days. The teacher is responsible for the following written documentation: 1) Nature of the behavioral incident; 2) Efforts made by the teacher to change that behavior; and 3) Record of contact with lawful custodian. This removal does not require an administrator’s approval; however, appropriate placement of the student after removal by the teacher is the responsibility of the principal. During this two-day period, the student may not return to the classroom without the teacher’s consent. 
   3. On the third or subsequent occasion the teacher may remove the student from the classroom for five days or permanently. The teacher is responsible for the following written documentation: 1) Nature of the behavioral incident; 2) Efforts made by the teacher to change that behavior; and 3) Record of contact with lawful custodian. This removal does not require an administrator’s approval; however, appropriate placement of the student after removal from the classroom by the teacher is the responsibility of the principal. The teacher shall be responsible for conducting a conference with the student and the lawful custodian(s) within 24 hours after the removal from the classroom. The student may not return to the classroom without the teacher’s consent. 
5. When in the judgment of the classroom teacher a student’s conduct is so severe, offensive, and disruptive to the safe and secure classroom, the teacher may skip AIP #4a and AIP #4b. When taking this action, the proper documentation shall be required as outlined in AIP #4b as well as the conference with student and lawful custodian. 
6. Any action under the authority of this policy, which causes a short and/or extended term suspension, must also afford due process rights in Policy 5113. The teacher will be responsible for providing the data needed in the due process procedure. Any disciplinary action taken against an exceptional student shall be subject to and governed by the student’s I.E.P. and the Administrative Handbook for Special Education. 

Administrative Responsibility: Safety Services Department 

Latest Revision Date: March 1999 

Previous Revision Date: October 1998 P5112 

Updated administratively for alignment purposes: December 2020 

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