Student Discipline Procedures & Penalties

Purpose of Regulations

The overall approach to discipline at Challenge Charter School is focused on positive behaviors, good choices, and individual student responsibility. The purpose of this regulation is to: (1) define conduct which may result in discipline of a student and (2) set forth due process procedures for various types of discipline.

 

Application of Regulations

A student who engages in conduct prohibited by this policy will be disciplined. Discipline may include, but is not limited to, any one or any combination of the following: oral reprimand, parent conferences, detention, temporary exclusion from the classroom, loss of privileges, withdrawal from class, off-campus suspension or expulsion, or referral to appropriate law enforcement agency.

These regulations are intended to regulate conduct of a student when the student is: (1) attending school, (2) on school grounds or at a school sponsored event, (3) traveling to or from school for a school sponsored event, or (4) engaged in misconduct that is in any other manner school related or affects the operation of the school. ARS 15-341(13)(14)

THE FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD VIOLATION STATEMENTS ARE GUIDELINES AND DO NOT LIMIT THE JUDGMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATOR OR THE SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL, WHO MUST ASSESS THE SITUATION AND THE STUDENT BEHAVIOR HISTORY.

It is anticipated that any two or more violations of the same rule or any combination of the rules will result in more severe penalties than the guidelines for a single offense.

Long-term suspensions and other penalties that affect the completion of a trimester may result in the student not being promoted to the next grade.

A student on active suspension from regular classes is also considered suspended from participation in the after-school program, or any school function scheduled during their suspension.

A student’s discipline record is cumulative. Unless otherwise stipulated, it is the intent of this policy that violations are cumulative for the entire school year. Good behavior is also rewarded and students can back down our discipline process with personal efforts and good behavior.

Detention is defined as work programs when offered, which may require the student to do simple cleaning tasks, loss of recess, or special placement other than their classroom during the school day.

　

　

Recommended Guidelines for Discipline Violations

This lists the most common violations, but is not all-inclusive. Each major incident of student discipline will be evaluated and responded to as quickly as possible.

Nature of Violation and the Offense Recommended Discipline

Alcohol, drugs, and paraphernalia, possession and using; and/or selling and dealing

1.  Long term suspension, expulsion, Police Referral, Counseling Program to be completed before re-admission.
   

Arson

1. Long term suspension, Expulsion, Police Referral, Counseling Program to be completed before re-admission.

Assault

1. Depending on the severity a student who has committed assault can be suspended from 1 to 9 days, or to the end of the trimester, the year, or expulsion with a Police Referral, Counseling Program to be completed before re-admission.
2. Long term suspension (Policy Referral)
3. Expulsion (Policy Referral)

Bullying and/or Threats

1. Possible detention or suspension 1-5 days.
2. Student’s classes closed pending parent conference, possible outside counseling program recommended, possible 5-10 days suspension.
3. Suspension for balance of the trimester. (long-term Suspension)

Defiance of authority: disobeying staff directives

1. Detention or suspension: 1-5 days.
2. Student’s classes closed pending parent conference, possible outside counseling program recommended, possible 5-10 days suspension.
3. Suspension for balance of the trimester. (long-term Suspension)

Disruptive conduct

1. Detention or Suspension: 1-3 days.
2. Suspension: 1-3 days. Student’s classes closed pending parent conference.
3. Suspension: 3-5 days, 5-19 days or Long-Term, up to the balance of the trimester.

Emergency alarms and fire control devices.

1. Expulsion. (Police Referral)

Endangering the health and safety of others

1. A student is subject to suspension or expulsion, depending on the severity of the offense. (Police Referral)

Fighting

1. Suspension for 1-5 school days.
2. Suspension: 5-9 days. (Police Referral)
3. Long-Term suspension (Police Referral) Outside Counseling Program (anger management) required for re-admission.

Forgery and cheating

1. Detention or Suspension: 1-5 days.
2. Suspension: 5-9 days. All classes closed pending parent conference.
3. Long-Term Suspension for the balance of the trimester.

Gambling

1. All classes closed pending parent conference. Detention or Suspension: 1-9 days.
2. Suspension for the balance of the trimester. Possible outside counseling required prior to re-admission (Gamblers Anonymous)

Inciting student unrest (Gang Membership)

1. A student is subject to long term suspension of up to 1 year, or expulsion depending on the severity of the offense. (Police Referral)

Obscenity or defamation

1. Immediate class suspension/detention
2. Classes closed pending parent conference. Suspension: 1-9 days.
3. Suspension for the balance of the trimester.

Possession of weapons and dangerous items

1. The student can be suspended for a period of up to one school year or expelled with no re-admission. (Police Referral)
   

Sexual harassment

1. The hearing officer may warn, suspend for 1-9 schools days or move to the 2nd offense
2. Suspension for the balance of the trimester of expulsion. Outside counseling program may be required prior to re-admission.

Smoking and/or tobacco usage

1. Class closed pending parent conference: Probation; Detention; Suspension 3-5 days
2. Classes closed pending parent conference, written contract, probation, suspension 5-9 days
3. Long Term Suspension for the balance of the trimester.

Theft, extortion, or misrepresentation

1. Restitution or suitable arrangements for restitution prior to returning to school, warning, detention or suspension 1-9 days. (Police Referral)
2. Long term suspension.
3. Expulsion and police referral.

Unauthorized entry

1. Expulsion and police referral.

Vandalism, destruction of property.

1. Restitution or suitable arrangements for restitution prior to returning to school and suspension for the balance of the trimester. (Police Referral).
2. Long Term Suspension
3. Expulsion and police referral.

Violation of federal, state, or local laws or violation of school policies and rules

The nature and severity of the offense will determine the appropriate disciplinary action.

Students Due Process Rights

As directed by the United States Constitution and interpreted by the courts, every student is entitled to due process before he/she may be suspended or expelled from school.

　

Provisions

Exclusion from Class
If a student’s conduct in class disrupts the educational process or if the student persists in willful misconduct, a teacher may exclude the student from class for the remainder of that day.

The teacher will explain to the student the reason he/she is being excluded from class (conduct referral) and issue a pass to the appropriate administrator. A Conduct Referral Form will be completed by the teacher and given to the appropriate administrator explaining the offense committed by the student.

A conference will be held with the student and an administrator to determine if further action shall be taken. Parents will be notified of the incident by the Conduct Referral Form being brought home by the student. The student is responsible for taking the Conduct Referral Form home (unless a suspension is imposed) and no phone call will be made.

Short-Term Suspension

A short-term suspension is for a period of nine school days or less.

During the conference with the student regarding any alleged violation, and prior to the imposition of the suspension, the administrator will advise the student of the allegations and evidence supporting the charges to misconduct. The student will be given and opportunity to explain his/her version of the events dealing with the alleged misconduct.

For all short-term suspension hearings which may result in a student being excluded from school for nine days or less, a record shall be made of action taken by the administrator. If, as a result of the informal short-term suspension hearing, the student is suspended, the following procedure will be followed:

1. Parent/guardian will be notified by telephone, if possible.
2. Students are responsible for taking the Conduct Referral Form home for parental review and signature.
3. Notification will be made by mail if required.
4. The student’s teachers, and the registration office will be advised.
5. Homework, assignments, and test can be made up after suspension. Work must be done in the same amount of days as student was out of class. (This may be subject to principal approval.)

Long-Term Suspension

If it is determined by the administration that the student’s misconduct is serious enough to recommend a long-term suspension (ten days or more), notification of a formal due process hearing will be made to the parent(s) at least five working days prior to the hearing. All long term suspension hearings are held by our School Advisory Council.

The parents will be advised of the time, date, place of the hearing, a description of the alleged misconduct, the school policy or administrative regulation violated and discipline prescribed herein.. Students and/or parents have a right to be represented by legal counsel. Written notice must be given to the school principal at least 48 hours before the hearing if the student or his/her parent(s) will have an attorney or other representatives present.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the School Advisory Council may render a decision immediately or notify the parents(s) and student within 48 hours. This notification will be done by phone or certified letter.

During the period of time between the alleged misconduct and the day of the hearing the student may remain in school unless an immediate short-term suspension has been imposed or it has been determined by the appropriate administrator that he/she is a clear and present danger to him/herself or other persons.

Appeal Process

Parents have the right to appeal any short term suspension. This can be done only after the administration has made a determination. Appeals have to be made within 5 days of receipt of notification of suspension. The appeal can be heard by another appointed hearing officer (any member of the School Advisory Council) or by the entire School Advisory Council, depending on the nature of the infraction. The School Advisory Council is the final review authority in the due process system of Challenge Charter School.

Expulsion

Expulsion is the exclusion of a student from school permanently. The authority to expel a student rests exclusively with the School Advisory Council. The Administration of the school will make any recommendation to expel a student based upon the result of a student’s due process suspension hearings, and the seriousness of the violations committed by the student.