*Marshall County Board of Education Basic Rules*

 
I. Valid Reasons for being excused:

a. Illness
b. Serious illness or death in the family
c. Doctor or dental appointment (verified)
d. Pre-arranged excuse granted at the Principal's discretion
e. Participation in interscholastic competition

 

II. NOT excusable by State Law.

a. Truancy
b. Suspension
c. Missing the bus
d. Trips not approved in advance
e. Shopping
f. Hunting or fishing
g. Employment (unless school associated program)
h. Driver's exam
I. Skip day
j. Games
k. Parties, etc.

 

III. Make-up Allowances

a. Following an absence, a student has two days to make arrangements to make up work missed.
b. An extended excused absence due to illness may require Homebound Instruction or special provisions arranged by the Principal and faculty to accommodate a student in keeping up with assignments.

 

IV. Grounds for Suspension and/or Expulsion

a. Truancy
b. Disruption of the school's function to educate
c. Use of tobacco products on school property
d. Being under the influence of alcohol in school or at any school sponsored activity
e. Possessing, using, or distributing any controlled substance
f. Insolence or disrespect
g. Fighting
h. Profanity
i. Gambling
j. Vandalism
k. Physical abuse to any school employee
l. Vandalism of student property during the time the school is responsible for the students
m. Refractory, indecent or immoral conduct
n. Abuse of other students
o. Possession of weapons or use of any object as a weapon

 

*SAFE SCHOOLS*

The School Improvement Councils of Marshall County Schools believe that it is the responsibility of students to behave in a manner that does not threaten, interfere with, or deprive other students of their rights to an education, nor infringe upon a teacher's right and responsibility to teach. Therefore we have established a student code of conduct that promotes a positive environment and supports the Rules and Regulations for Student Code of Conduct set forth by the West Virginia Department of Education, the policy and regulations of the Marshall County Board of Education, as well as the provisions of the Federal Gun Free Schools Act, and the provisions of the Safe Schools Act of West Virginia.

 

I. Student Code of Conduct

To provide every student in Marshall County with the opportunity to reach his/her potential, students shall:

a. Attend school faithfully, complete assignments on time and work to full potential.
b. Behave in a manner that is not disruptive to classroom learning nor the operation of the classroom or the school.
c. Obey teachers, principals and others in authority.
d. Refrain from aggressive, threatening or any other illegal behavior.
e. Refrain from the possession or use of any weapons, illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco products.

 

II. Effective Discipline

The goal of the discipline system is to develop students to their maximum potential in self control, independ-ence, responsibility, and self governance that enhances the schools' mission of social responsibility.

 Marshall County Schools has established and maintained an effective discipline system which DOES NOT INCLUDE THE USE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

 The discipline in Marshall County Schools is based on the following assumptions:

-Discipline is a means to learning, not an end.
-Discipline should be handled, if at all possible, by the classroom teacher.
-Classroom instructional behaviors affect discipline.
-Discipline is preventive, not punitive.
-Learning environments must be orderly.
-Due process is an expectation for students.

The major objectives of Marshall County Schools' discipline policy are:

-Reduction in the number of discipline referrals.
-Improvement of school climate.
-Improvement of teacher morale.
-Increase of student self-control.
-Greater involvement of parents in student behavior.
The discipline program includes:
-Responsible student program (PROS).
-Peer mediation program.
-SAP
-Individual and/or group counseling.

 

II. Authority of Teachers, Principals, Bus Operators and County Board

a. Teachers may exclude a student who fails to abide by the Student Code of Conduct, who engages in disorderly conduct, who interferes with the educational process, who threatens or intimidates a teacher or pupil, who disobeys a school employee or who uses abusive or profane language directed at a school employee. That exclusion can be from one class period or an entire school day. The student must be provided with an alternative educational opportunity to be completed outside the classroom at a setting to be determined by the principal. Parents will be notified of the student's removal from class. If a student is excluded from the same teacher's classroom three times in one year a conference will be held with the teacher, the principal, and the parent regarding future discipline. If the behavior persists, the principal has the discretion to transfer the pupil to another setting.

b. In consultation with the building principal, bus operators may exclude from the bus in conformity with the West Virginia School Transportation Guidelines, any student who fails to abide by the Student Code of Conduct.

c. The principals may temporarily suspend (not to exceed ten [10] consecutive days) from school a student who consistently fails to abide by the Student Code of Conduct or who commits a serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct, or if the student, in the determination of the principal after an informal hearing, has threatened to injure, or in any manner injured, a pupil, teacher, administrator or other school personnel; willfully disobeyed a teacher; possessed alcohol in an educational facility, on school grounds, a school bus, or at any school sponsored function; used profane language directed at a school employee or pupil; intentionally defaced any school property; participated in any physical altercation with another person while under the authority of school personnel; or habitually violated school rules or policies.

     The informal hearing will be conducted by the principal immediately upon notification of the alleged actions. The student's parent(s), guardian(s), or custodian(s) shall be given telephonic notice, if possible, of this informal hearing. At the commencement of the informal hearing, the principal shall inquire of the student as to whether he or she admits or denies the charges. If the pupil does not admit the charges, he or she shall be given an explanation of the evidence possessed by the principal and an opportunity to present his or her version of the occurrence. The principal need not hold this informal hearing prior to suspension should a clear and present danger exist to persons or property. In such case, the informal hearing shall be held as soon as practicable after the suspension.

     The principal shall report any suspension the same day it has been decided upon, in writing, to the parent(s), guardian(s) or custodian(s) of the student by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the county superintendent and to the faculty senate of the school at the next meeting after the suspension.

     The principal may exercise any other authority and perform any other duties to discipline students consistent with state and federal law, including the policies of the state and county board of education.

d. The County Board of Education may expel from school any student who consistently and systematically fails to abide by the Student Code of Conduct, who commits a serious violation of the Code of Conduct which the Board feels could cause danger to other persons or property.
     Prior to a hearing before the county board of education, it shall cause a written notice, which states the charges and the recommended disposition, to be served upon the pupil and his/her parent(s), guardian(s) or custodian(s) setting forth the date and time at which the hearing shall be held, which date shall be within the ten-day period of suspension imposed by the principal.

     At the hearing the student may be represented by counsel, may call his or her own witnesses and may confront and cross-examine witnesses. The hearing shall be recorded by mechanical means or by a certified court reporter. The board of education may reinstate the student, require the completion of suspension, suspend student for a further designated number of days or expel the student, in accordance with the Safe Schools Act. The board of education may adopt rules or procedure for the conduct of expulsion hearing.

     An exceptional student's suspension or expulsion shall follow the procedures of the Safe Schools Act and other applicable special education policies and procedures.

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By:  Erica H.