The Discipline Code serves as a guide for school administrators dealing with discipline offenses. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every possible offense. Furthermore, every possible offense cannot be defined. The Principal of the school has the authority to make disciplinary and other decisions based on the best interests of the students and the school.
ALL VIOLATIONS OF LAW SHALL BE REFERRED TO THE PROPER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES BY THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS IN ADDITION TO SCHOOL CONSEQUENCES.
STUDENTS AND CRIMINAL CHARGES
Parents and guardians are encouraged to inform their children that certain acts of misconduct could result in legal charges. Please explain to your student(s) that for certain acts of underage sexual conduct and other crimes, a minor may be tried as an adult.
It is the responsibility of the student and the student's parents/guardians to demonstrate behavior that is appropriate at all times. Parents will be contacted when any major offense occurs. It is the policy of this state that it is preferable to assign disruptive students to alternative educational settings rather than to suspend such students from school. A teacher shall have the authority to remove from his or her class a student who repeatedly or substantially interferes with the teacher’s ability to communicate effectively with the students in the class or with the ability of the student’s classmates to learn, where the student’s behavior is in violation of the student code of conduct, provided that the teacher has previously filed a report or determines that such behavior of the student poses an immediate threat to the safety of the student’s classmates or the teacher. (Board Policy JD) The parent will be required to attend a conference and develop a behavioral intervention plan.
School bus transportation is a privilege afforded pupils by the Board of Education. It is not a right. To protect the safety and well being of all involved, pupils must adhere to established bus conduct rules. Bus transportation privilege may be revoked if the pupil does not observe bus conduct expectations.
Bus Conduct Rules
- Students should always conduct themselves in an orderly manner and obey all bus safety rules.
- All students are under the jurisdiction of the driver while aboard each bus.
- The driver is responsible for seating arrangements on each bus.
- Students will remain seated while bus is in motion.
- Students must refrain from loud talking, horseplay, throwing objects on or from the bus, or doing anything that will detract from the driver’s attention.
- Anyone damaging a bus will be responsible for restitution.
- All parts of the body must be kept inside the bus at all times.
- Smoking, chewing gum, eating, or drinking on the bus is not permitted.
- It is the responsibility of the driver and each rider to help keep the bus clean.
- The use of profanity on the bus will not be allowed.
- Students will be picked up and delivered at their regular designated site each day. Written requests from the parent or guardian will be filed with the principal if it becomes necessary for a student to depart a bus other than at his/her regular stop. The principal will authorize the driver to make such a stop. Exceptions may be made if a safety hazard is involved.
- Buses are provided for transporting students: therefore, large objects such as boxes, recreation equipment, large band instruments, etc., should not be on a bus.
- Students must refrain from inappropriate display of affection.
- Assignments to specific buses will be made by school authorities.
15. Students are expected to abide by the Douglas County School System
Student Discipline Code.
16. Students shall not possess or use objects such as mirrors, lasers, flash cameras,
or any other lights or reflective devices in a manner that might interfere with
the school bus driver’s operation of the school bus.
This also includes the usage of any electronic devices during the operation of a school bus in a manner that might interfere with the school bus communications’ equipment or the school bus driver’s operation of the bus.
NOTE: If a student is found to have engaged in bullying or physical assault or battery of another person on the school bus, the policy must require a meeting of the parent or guardian and district officials for the purpose of forming a school bus behavior contract for the student. Contract provisions must provide for appropriate progressive discipline and may include assigned seating, ongoing parental involvement and suspension from riding the bus. School bus contracts can be used for other infractions as well.
LEVEL ONE OFFENSES
These offenses will be heard by a Discipline Tribunal after initial investigation is completed and temporary consequences (suspension) are assigned by school administrators. The Discipline Tribunal shall determine the appropriate discipline in each case based on its individual merits. The principal may recommend an appropriate discipline for the Tribunal to consider. Appropriate compensation shall be paid to replace losses to the school system resulting from commission of any offense. Level One Offenses are so serious in nature that offenses will be cumulative grades 6-8. The following offenses may require police contact and shall be grounds for long-term suspension/expulsion/permanent expulsion, or denial of enrollment. This could also result in long-term bus suspension.
1. Possession, or use of, or threat to use weapons, look a-like weapons,
dangerous instruments, or explosive/implosive devices.
2. Terroristic threats.
3. Riotous Behavior.
4. Possession, use, or distribution of drugs, or possession, use or distribution
of drug paraphernalia. Distribution of over the counter drugs, look-a-like
drugs, or alcoholic beverages.
5. Physical or verbal assault on a school employee. (Any act of violence
against a teacher, bus driver, or other school employee causing injury shall result
in expulsion for the remainder of the student’s school years.)
7. Bullying (3rd offense automatic assignment to alternative school)
8. Arson or destruction of property.
9. Sexual Battery and other Sexual Offenses.
10. Sexual Harassment (2nd offense).
11. Computer Trespass.
12. Chronic disciplinary problems. Repeated occurrences of Level Two or Three
offenses shall be treated as a Level One offense.
13. Any act which substantially disrupts the orderly conduct of a school.
14. Any act, whether school related or non-school related, on-campus or off-campus,
which could result in the student being criminally charged with a felony and
which makes the student’s continued presence at school a potential danger
to persons or property at the school or which disrupts the educational process;
15. Gang related activities, a gang is defined as any three or more individuals
who have a name, claim a territory, use graffiti to mark a schools territory,
or themselves, have rivals/enemies, or interact together at the exclusion of
other people. The existence of such gang affiliation may be established by
evidence of a common name or common identifying signs, gestures, symbols,
tattoos, graffiti, attire or other distinguishing characteristics. Evidence will
be validated as characteristics of known gangs in consultation with local
16. Falsifying, misrepresenting, omitting, or erroneously reporting information
regarding instances of alleged inappropriate behavior by a teacher, administrator,
or other school employee toward a student.
18. Aiding and/or abetting the commission of any Level I offense. A student who
aids or abets the commission of a Level I offense by another student shall be
charged with Level I aiding and abetting.
LEVEL TWO OFFENSES
These major offenses are cumulative for the school year. Each offense shall result in suspension, in-school or out, not to exceed ten (10) days.
Appropriate compensation shall be paid to replace losses to the school system resulting from commission of any offense. Principal’s discretion may be used in handling level two offenses.
1. Possession or use of over the counter drugs, look-alike drugs, or
3. Simple battery.
4. Bullying (1st and 2nd offenses).
6. Possession or use of any tobacco product.
7. Theft/possession of stolen property
8. Sexual Harassment (first offense).
9. Willful disobedience, insubordination, blatant disrespect, profane or verbal abuse
directed toward any school board employee, bus driver, student, or visitor to campus.
10. Leaving campus without proper authorization/truancy.
11. Failure to serve or misbehavior while serving detention or in-school suspension.
12. Repeated occurrence of Level Three minor offenses shall be treated as a
Level Two offense.
13. Possession of obscene materials.
14. Inappropriate use of technology.
15. Hitting/Roughing/Minor Physical Contact.
16. Aggression/confrontation towards others.
17. Behavior which is subversive to good order and discipline in the school.
18. Inappropriate drawings or notes.
19. Providing false information to a school board employee.
LEVEL THREE OFFENSES
These minor offenses will be dealt with at the discretion of the school administrators. Generally, consequences shall include but not be limited to detention, suspension (in-school or out-of-school), Saturday school/detention, making restitution, parental conferences, bus suspension, etc. Teachers and bus drivers will handle minor offenses by reporting offenses to administrators and in accordance with school procedures. Parents will be informed of misbehavior by phone or in writing.
Minor offenses include, but are not limited to: classroom and campus misbehavior, cutting class, tardiness, forgery, cheating, trespassing or being in an area without authorization, inappropriate public display of affection, dress code violations, possession of nuisance items, laser pointers, cameras, video or DVD videos, matches or lighters, use of profanity, vulgar or obscene words or gestures, open food or beverage outside of cafeteria or designated areas such as the bus, unauthorized sale of candy, food or other items, gambling, sleeping in class, failure to follow directions, any other behavior which disrupts the learning environment of the school which is not previously listed. Possession of electronic communication devices, including, but not limited to, beepers, cell phones, or other electronic devices on school property during the instructional day is prohibited. All content held in cellular phones, cameras or video phones, or other electronic devices is subject to inspection and/or review by school administrators at any time.
Tardies to school may include disciplinary action such as parent conference, detention, in-school suspension, and/or loss of extra-curricular privileges.
DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Discipline of students with disabilities requires certain considerations because
behavior may be related to the disability. Following are general guidelines:
1. Determine which students have been identified as disabled and review
their IEPs or Section 504 Plan at the start of the semester before there
are discipline problems.
2. An IEP or Section 504 Plan may include a Behavior Intervention Plan, which
specifies how certain behaviors are to be handled. This plan should be followed
in all school settings - regular or special (see * below).
3. Students whose IEPs or Section 504 Plan do not address behavior or
discipline should be treated like non-disabled students with common sense
consideration of the disability (see * below).
*In all cases, however, a student with a disability may not be suspended from
school (including ISS - if the student does not receive the specified special
education services) for more than a cumulative total of 10 days per school year.
When the total numberof suspension days nears 10 or a significantly disruptive
behavior occurs, the following procedure should be followed:
1. The Director/Coordinator (or designee) of Special Education should be
notified to assure that all due process procedures are followed.
2. The IEP committee will carefully review the IEP and current placement to
determine if the behavior is related to the disability and if change should
be made in the IEP.
3. For Section 504 students, the SST will review the 504 Plan and determine if
the behavior is related to the disability.
4. Classroom teachers should work closely with special education teachers
and the Student Support Team to determine appropriate methods of discipline.
DISCIPLINE CODE DEFINITIONS
The following are definitions or same terms used in the discipline code:
ACTS OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE - Intentionally making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with the person of another or intentionally making physical contact which causes physical harm to another unless such physical contact were in defense of himself/herself.
AFFRAY/FIGHTING – Offensive physical contact between two or more persons.
AGGRESSION TOWARDS OTHERS – Intentionally making verbal, written, or recorded comments of an insulting or provoking nature to another person. Additionally, this includes engaging in a verbal conflict or physical intimidation/posturing.
ANY ACT WHICH SUBSTANTIALLY DISRUPTS THE ORDERLY CONDUCT OF A SCHOOL, SCHOOL FUNCTION, OR EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY - Behavior not specifically described above which substantially disrupts the orderly learning environment or poses a threat to the health, safety and/or welfare of students, staff, or others. May include being convicted of, being adjudicated to have committed, being indicted for, or having an information filed against for the commission of any felony or any delinquent act which would be a felony if committed by an adult.
ARSON - Unlawful and intentional damage or attempted damage to any real or personal property by fire or incendiary device.
ASSAULT – The attempt to commit a violent injury to another person, or commits an act which places another in reasonable apprehension of immediately receiving a violent injury.
BOMB THREATS/EXPLOSIONS - Any communication which has the effect of threatening an explosion to do malicious, destructive, or bodily harm to school system property, at a school function, or extracurricular activity, or the persons in or on that property or attending the function. Preparing, possessing, or igniting explosives including unauthorized fireworks on school system property at a school function, or extracurricular activity.
BREAKING AND ENTERING - The unlawful and willful entry or attempted forcible entry of any school system property or the personal property of students and school system personnel.
BULLYING - The term “Bullying” means an act which occurs on school property, on school vehicles,
at designed school bus stops, or at school related functions or activities, or by use of data or software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology of a local school system, that is:
1. Any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person, when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so; or
2. Any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm; or
3. Any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, which a reasonable person would perceive as being intended to threaten, harass, or intimidate, that:
a) Causes another person substantial physical harm within the meaning of Code Section 16-5-23.1
or visible bodily harm as such term is defined in Code Section 16-5-23.1;
b) Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education;
c) Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational
d) Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
BUS SUSPENSION – A pupil found guilty of certain offenses may be suspended from the bus for a period up to the remainder of the school year.
CHEATING - Willful or deliberate unauthorized use of the work of another person for academic purposes, or inappropriate use of notes or other material in the completion of an academic assignment or test. In addition to disciplinary responses, the granting of credit for this assignment may be considered null and void.
CHRONIC DISCIPLINE PROBLEM STUDENT - A student who is chronically disruptive may be charged with repeated violations of school rules. Intervention attempts may include consideration by the Student Support Team, parent notification, parent observation and development of a behavioral correction plan.
CLASSROOM DISRUPTION - Conduct or behavior, which interferes with or disrupts the teaching/learning process.
CLASS CUT - Failure to report to class without authorization.
COMPUTER TRESPASS – Unauthorized use of a computer or a computer network with the intention of deleting, obstructing, interrupting, altering, accessing data, or damaging, or in any way causing the malfunction of the computer, network, program(s), or data.
OMBUDSMAN - The student is removed from the local school by disciplinary tribunal, but is allowedto attend Ombudsman School for instruction. The student may not return to local school campus or attend activities or events of any Douglas County school while at the Ombudsman for the duration of the suspension.
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY - The willful or malicious destruction or major damage to school property or the property of others.
DETENTION - The student shall report to a specified school location and to a designated teacher or school official. Students must be given 24-hour notice in order to make arrangements for transportation. Detention may require the student’s attendance before school, after school, on Saturdays, or during scheduled class or school activity time if school officials deem removal of the student from his/her regular school schedule essential to the well being of the student or school. The school principal will develop rules for detention.
DISCIPLINARY PROBATION - A student found guilty of certain offenses may be placed on probation by the local school and/or the Student Disciplinary Tribunal. Probation is a trial period during which a student violating school and/or school system rules is subject to further disciplinary action.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT - Conduct or behavior, which interferes with or disrupts the orderly process of the school environment, a school function, or extracurricular activity.
DISRESPECT FOR AUTHORITY - Inappropriate verbal or non-verbal behavior which demeans, degrades, antagonizes, humiliates, embarrasses, or intimidates a school system employee.
DISRESPECT FOR OTHERS - Conduct or behavior, which demeans, degrades, antagonizes, humiliates, or embarrasses a person or group of persons.
DRESS CODE - Non-conformity to established dress code of Douglas County Board of Education. (SEE DRESS CODE - POLICY JCDB)
EXPULSION - The student is removed from all Douglas County Public Schools, property and activities or events beyond the current school semester. Permanent expulsion may be made only by the Board of Education.
EXTENT OF SCHOOL JURISDICTION - Students are accountable for behavior on school property, at school functions, en route to or from school functions, and at bus stop.
EXTORTION/THREATS - The willful or malicious threats of harm, injury, or violence to the person, property or reputation of another with the intent to obtain money, information, services or items of material worth.
FALSE FIRE ALARM - The willful and/or malicious activation of a fire alarm system or the willful and/or malicious reporting of a false fire.
FELONY - Any offense punishable as a felony under Georgia law or federal law.
FIGHTING – See "Affray/Fighting"
FIRECRACKERS/FIREWORKS - Unauthorized possession and/or igniting of fireworks or firecrackers on school property, at a school function or extracurricular activity.
FORGERY - The making of false or misleading written communication to a school staff member with the intent to deceive the staff member or under circumstances which would be reasonably calculated to deceive the staff member.
GAMBLING - Any participation in games (or activities) of chance for money and/or things of value.
HAZING – Any action or situation which subjects a student to an activity which endangers or is likely to endanger the physical or mental health of a student, regardless of the student’s willingness to participate in such activity.
HEARING OFFICER - System administrator or who conducts the Student Discipline Tribunal hearing proceedings.
HITTING/ROUGHING/MINOR PHYSICAL CONTACT – Intentionally making physical contact with another person including but not limited to hitting, slapping, pushing, tripping and wrestling.
INAPPROPRIATE DISPLAY OF AFFECTION - The practice of kissing, embracing, and other similar types of activities are not in good taste in the school setting. All students should conduct themselves in a mature manner.
INAPPROPRATIE USE OF TECHNOLOGY- Unauthorized use of a computer, its programs, websites, or a computer network.
INCITING, LEADING, OR PARTICIPATING IN A MAJOR STUDENT DISORDER - The willful act of inciting, leading or participating in any disruption or disturbance which interferes with the educational process or which can result in damage or destruction to public or private property, or cause personal injury to participants and others.
IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION - The student is removed from regular classes for a specified period of time in the local school. Class work assignments are sent to the student by the teachers. The student may not attend or participate in any extracurricular activities while assigned to In-School Suspension (ISS).
INSUBORDINATION - Refusal or failure to comply with a direction or an order from a school system staff member; failure to comply with State Law, School Board Policy, local school rule, behavior contracts, or classroom rules.
INTIMIDATION - The verbal or physical threat to do harm or violence to another person(s) or to the property of another person.
LEAVING CAMPUS - Students leaving campus without approval of school officials may have parking privileges revoked in addition to other consequences.
LONG-TERM SUSPENSION - The student is suspended out-of-school for more than ten (10) days. Any suspension of more than ten (10) days may be assigned only by the Student Disciplinary Tribunal, or by the Board of Education. (Student may continue academic work at the Alternative School.)
MISBEHAVIOR IN THE CAFETERIA - The acts of throwing objects, leaving trays, etc. in the cafeteria. Open food or drink outside of designated areas (any area other than
cafeteria). No food may be delivered to school from a "fast food" establishment, in compliance with federal guidelines.
MISCONDUCT ON SCHOOL BUS OR OTHER SCHOOL APPROVED TRANSPORTATION - Conduct or behavior which interferes with the orderly, safe, and expeditious transportation of students or other authorized riders. In addition to consequences for offenses on a bus, students may lose the privilege to ride the bus.
NON-PRESCRIPTION DRUG - Over-the-counter drug not authorized by a registered physician and not prescribed for the student. Student use is prohibited except in accordance with local school policy.
NUISANCE ITEMS -This includes beepers, cellular phones, radios, skates, skateboards, toys, toy guns, playing cards, water pistols, camera, video or DVD cameras, CD players, MP2 players, IPODS, video games, etc. which are not to be brought to school.
PRE-ADMISSION HEARING - A hearing requested by the school or parent(s) to determine whether a suspended or expelled student will be allowed to enter the Douglas County School System from another school system.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG - Use of a drug (medication) authorized by a registered physician, and prescribed for the student. Student or parent should inform the school on the use of medically prescribed drug.
PROFANE, OBSCENE, OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE/MATERIALS - The use of either oral or written language, gestures, objects or pictures which are socially unacceptable and which tend to disrupt the orderly school environment, a school function, or extracurricular activity.
RE-ADMISSION HEARING - A hearing requested through the Board of Education or Student Disciplinary Tribunal by the school, parent(s) or other agency to determine whether a suspended or expelled former student be allowed to re-enter the Douglas County School System.
RE-ADMISSION REVIEW - A mandatory conference with the parent, student, school official and counselor to review documentation showing what has been done, while the student was on suspension and/or at the Alternative School, to correct the disciplinary problem(s) that resulted in the suspension from school.
REPEATED MISCONDUCT OF A LESS SERIOUS NATURE - Repeated misconduct, which tends to disrupt an orderly school environment or an extracurricular activity.
RIOTOUS BEHAVIOR – An act or conduct which urges, counsels, or advises others to disrupt the orderly conduct of students, staff or third parties; or an act or conduct which exacerbates a disruption of the orderly conduct of students, staff or third parties.
ROBBERY - The act or attempted act of taking money, property, or possessions from another, against his or her will, through the use of force, violence, or fear.
SEXUAL BATTERY – Intentional physical contact with the intimate parts of the body of another person without the consent of that person. The term “intimate parts” means the primary genital area, anus, groin, inner thighs, or buttocks of a male or female and the breasts of a female.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT - any act intended to create a hostile environment or to gain sexual favors by intimidation.
SEXUAL OFFENSES - any act of indecent exposure or any sexual crimes as defined by Georgia law.
SIMPLE BATTERY - Intentionally making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with another person.
SHORT-TERM SUSPENSION - one (1) through ten (10) days suspension out of school by the local school administrator. The student may be suspended for an accumulation of offenses, as well as a major offense. The teacher will determine required make-up. Suspended students shall make up those major tests or assignments (that will have a significant impact on their final grade. It will be the student’s responsibility to request make-up work within a reasonable period of time three (3) school days upon return to school. Work must be returned within the period specified by the teacher.
SMOKING (AND OTHER USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS) - The unauthorized possession, use, distribution or sale of tobacco products on school system property, at a school event. This includes all students, while engaged in an official school sponsored event, who represent a team.
STUDENT DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL - A panel composed of three administrators and one Hearing Officer. The Tribunal hears evidence presented by the school, the student, and parents when a student is referred by the local school principal or his/her designee. The Tribunal has the authority to make decisions ranging from returning the student to the local school through permanent expulsion.
SUPER STOP – A Violence Prevention Program for youth and their parents, is a ten-hour educational and interactional program offered jointly to students and parents as; 1. A primary violence prevention and education program; 2. An intervention alternative for students facing suspension for violence, alcohol, other drugs, or drug-related offenses.
SUSPENSION - When the term suspension is used in the discipline code it may be interpreted to mean in-school suspension or short-term out of school suspension.
TARDINESS - Excessive late arrival to school or class.
TEEN S.H.A.R.P. PROGRAM -(Teen Sobriety, Hope, and Relapse) – This is an educational and interactional program offered jointly to students and parents as: a) A prevention and education program; b) An intervention alternative for students facing suspension for violence, alcohol, other drugs, or drug-related offenses.
TERRORISTIC THREAT - A student commits the offense of terroristic threat when he/she threatens to commit violence against person(s) or damage to property, which would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized or causes the evacuation of a building, school assembly, school bus or otherwise causes serious disruption of a school or school activity.
THEFT - Taking the personal property of someone else or the school system.
TRESPASSING - Illegal presence on a school campus by suspended students, or any other person who does not have permission to be on school grounds.
TRUANCY - Violation of the State Attendance Laws - The primary purpose of our schools is to promote student learning. To that end, the Douglas County School System expects teachers to provide well-planned, appropriate lessons for each class every day that school is in session. In order to receive maximum benefit from the instructional activities, students are expected to be in school each day unless excused for legitimate reasons. Good attendance habits positively impact the learning process and carry over into the world of work. While teachers and administrators are charged with the responsibility of providing worthwhile daily activities for students, the students and their parents must assume responsibility for being punctual and regular in attendance. It is the position of the Douglas County Board of Education that every day at school is important and that no student ever be absent except for extraordinary reasons. Truancy may lead to court action against the student and parent.
UNAUTHORIZED AREAS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING: A) Any area of the building where classes are in session during lunch period; B) The gym unless you have a class at that time in the gym; C) The parking lot once you have arrived in the school; D) At lunch time students are permitted to be in the cafeteria or in the designated area; E) Any other designated area.
UNAUTHORIZED ASSEMBLY, PUBLICATIONS, ETC. - Demonstrations and/or petitions by students, or possession and/or distribution of unauthorized publications, which interfere with the orderly process of the school environment, a school function, or extracurricular activity.
VANDALISM – Willful or malicious acts which result in minor damage to real property or personal property of the school or to personal property of any person at the school.
VERBAL ABUSE - Degrading comments directed toward an individual.
VERBAL ASSAULT - A violent threat with non-physical weapons such as words, arguments, or appeals.
WAIVER OF ATTENDING STUDENT DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL - Parents may sign a waiver if the student admits guilt, they cannot attend or do not elect to attend the Tribunal hearing. In the event a parent or student does not attend the hearing, it will proceed as scheduled. The principal or designee is authorized to negotiate consequences with the parent and student.
WEAPONS - "Weapon" means and includes any pistol, revolver, or any weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind, or any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, any other knife having a blade of two or more inches, straight-edge razor, razor blade, spring stick, metal knucks, blackjack, any bat, club, or other bludgeon-type weapon, or any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nanchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain, or any disc, of whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart, or any weapon of like kind, and any stun gun or taser as defined in subsection (a) of Code Section 16-11-106. This section excludes any of these instruments used for classroom work authorized by the teacher.” Weapon shall also include any instrumentality or object which if used in an offensive manner could cause bodily injury to a person or property, or places a person in fear for his/her safety. (O.C.G.A. 16-11-127.1; 15-11-37; P.L. 103-227).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE DISCIPLINE CODE
1. Students under short-term suspension must make-up any academic work missed during the suspension to receive credit. It will be the responsibility of the student to request make-up work. Students under suspension or expulsion are not allowed on any Douglas County School System campus or at any Douglas County School System functions.
2. Students are to notify an administrator or staff member when illegal items are found in the school building or on the school campus. Students are advised not to pick up items or to handle the illegal items.
3. School administrators and or their designated representatives possess the authority to conduct a reasonable search of students, their possessions, their lockers, or their automobiles when on school property. The administrator is required to have only reasonable suspicion to conduct such searches.
4. Students should be aware that any adult employee of the Douglas County Board of Education has the authority to ask for a student's identity or to see other appropriate information. Board of Education employees have the authority to give a student reasonable instructions and to expect that those instructions be carried out. Refusal to identify oneself or to carry out reasonable instructions will result in serious disciplinary action.
5. Student disciplinary records are maintained separately, however Georgia Law requires the transfer of those records for grades 6-12 to another Georgia school district.
6. These regulations apply to students: (a) who are on the school grounds during, immediately before, or immediately after school; (b) who are on the grounds at any other time that the school is being used by a school group; (c) who are off the school grounds at a school activity, school function, or event; (d) who are en route to or from any school function, or is otherwise subject to jurisdiction of school authorities.
7. The school system reserves the right to discipline behavior which is subversive to good order and discipline in the school, even though such behavior is not specified in the school's discipline code.
8. The penalty for committing a physical act of violence against a school employee is expulsion for the remainder of the student’s school years. The local board may permit the student to attend an alternative school or program. If the student is in grades K-8, the local board may permit a student to reenroll in the regular school program for grades 9-12. If there is no alternative program for students grades K-6, the local board may permit such a student to reenroll in the public school system. Students committing acts of physical violence against school employees must also be referred to juvenile court authorities.