Discipline Plan

It is the purpose of this information to establish a safe and orderly school environment in which the rights of all students are protected and the efforts of the teachers to maintain order and teach students are supported. The hierarchy of punishments ranges from the less severe to the more severe, ultimately reaching the point where referral to the Grundy County Discipline Committee is recommended. It is the philosophy of the faculty and administration that although expulsion from school is a matter with serious and often lasting implications for the student and his/her family, it is a step which circumstances necessarily dictate either because of the severe nature of the offenses(s) committed or because of habitual nature of the violations committed by the student.

The guiding principle of this or any other good system of school and classroom management is that its purpose is not to punish, but to teach and encourage students to accept responsibility for their actions and decisions and to regard the rights of other with as much reverence as their own.

Discipline Procedures

Whenever a student's conduct warrants disciplinary action by the school administration, an effort will be made to inform the parent/guardian of the offense and the disciplinary action taken.

A deportment grading system for student conduct will be used in determining disciplinary actions administered to students who do not choose to follow school policies and rules.

Each student will begin with a deportment grade of 100 points at the beginning of the school year. Deportment points will be deducted each time a student chooses not to follow a school rule or a classroom rule. When a student's deportment points fall to 60, privileges will be lost.

Shown below are the Five (5) Levels of Discipline, the Offenses related to each level, the number of Deportment Points deducted for violation of each offense, and further Consequences that apply to the violations:

Level I Offenses

1. Excessive Tardiness
   a.   Tardy (3)
   b.   Tardy (6)
   c.   Tardy (9)
2. Chewing Gum (at the discretion of the teacher).
3. Improper display of affection.
4. Dress Code Violation.
5. Minor cafeteria disturbances.
6. Violation of fourth classroom management intervention.

Consequences

• Offenses 2 and 6 - deportment points will be doubled for each offense after the first incident in each respective area.
• Excessive Tardiness (6) will result in the loss of driving privileges for the remainder of the semester.  Those students that do not have a driver's license will not be allowed to drive during the semester they obtain their license if they have accumulated six (6) tardies.  Deportment grade of 60 will result in the loss of field trips including college days.

Level II Offenses

1. Use of profane, obscene or slang language (written or spoken).
2. Disrespect toward faculty/staff.
3. Spreading rumors that will cause a conflict between two or more individuals.
4. Unlawful assembly or organization of any group(s) which might be a hazard to the safety or welfare of students and school officials.
5. Leaving class without permission or misuse of hall pass
6. Skipping class or directive study.
7. Violation of any school rule not specified under another level.

Consequences

• 1st Offense - 25 Deportment points and warning.
• 2nd Offense - 25 Deportment points and two days ISS.
• 3rd Offense - Three days ISS.
• 4th Offense - Three days OSS and three Consecutive Days of Saturday School.
• 5th Offense - Alternative School.

Level III Offenses

1. Harassment - Willful intimidation, insulting, or any other manner of abuse:  sexual, verbal, nonverbal, or written to or regarding any member of the school staff or student body.
2. Insubordination - Defiance of any school personnel.
3. Abuse or willful destruction of school property and/or personal property of other on the school campus.  This includes defacing or marring property with graffiti.
4. Fighting - Any conflict between two or more individuals.
5. Possession and/or use of any tobacco products.
6. Leaving campus without permission
7. Other Offenses:
   • a. Theft/possession of stolen property.
   • b. Possession of Obscene or pornographic material.
   • c. Possession of fireworks or igniting material.
   • d. Gambling.
   • e. Activation of fire equipment.
   • f. Possession of (including, but not limited to) a pocketknife.

Level IV Offenses

Any Level IV Offense listed below will result in automatic suspension and possible referral to the Grundy County School Board for expulsion:

1. Arson
2. Bomb threat
3. Sexual acts or acts of a sexual nature not limited to batter, intercourse, attempted rape or rape, or indecent exposure
4. Aggravated Battery - Intentionally causing great bodily harm, disability or permanent disfigurement
5. Any Violation in which the administration may deem as reasonable to fall within this category

Consequences

Any student who commits any act listed as a Level IV Offense may be placed in the alternative school until a Placement Board hearing is possible. If any student violates a state or federal law, the proper authorities will be notified.

Level V Offenses

1. Possession, use, transfer, or sale of alcohol, drugs, and/or related paraphernalia
2. Battery upon school personnel
3. Possession or use of any dangerous weapons in school buildings, on school grounds, or in school vehicles at any time (including, but not limited to any firearm, explosive, bowie knife, ice pick, dagger, slingshot, stun guns, switchblade, knuckles.)

Consequences

Any student who commits any act listed as a Level V Offense will be suspended immediately for a period of not less than one calendar year (ZERO TOLERANCE)

Tennessee State law mandates that school administrators protect the safety and educational environment of all students.  Therefore, the principal or assistant principals reserve the right and authority to declare the rules outlined here null and void should a severely disruptive incident occur that mandates immediate action.