Students who commit serious behavior in- fractions are subject to suspension and in some cases expulsion. 

Minor Infractions 

• Gum/food/drink use
• Cafeteria problem
• Creating disturbance within the building or on school grounds
• Any disruptive display of public affection
• Failure to exit building promptly
• Failure to follow directions
• Failure to produce ID when requested
• Possession of another’s ID
• Failure to serve lunch detention
• Failure to serve AM/PM Penalty
• Gambling
• Harassment
• Inappropriate attire
• Lying to school officials
• Misuse of technology, including cell phones, personal devices, ear devices
• Possession/distribution/posting of unauthorized inappropriate material
• Vulgar/obscene language, writing and/or gestures

Minor infractions may be considered major based on the circumstances surrounding the incident and/or repeated offenses.

Major Infractions 

• Arson
• Assault and/or battery of students or staff
• Bullying/cyber bullying
• Bus disruption
• Damage to school property or property belonging to staff or students
• Disruption of class
• Disruptive demonstrations on school property
• Failure to serve In-School Suspension
• Failure to serve AM/PM Penalty (repeat occurrences)
• Flagrant/continued disregard of school rules
• Fighting.
• Firecrackers/smoke bombs
• Gambling
• Gang/cult activity (apparel, recruitment, intimidation, graffiti, gestures)
• Gross student misconduct
• Group disorder/ creation of chaos
• Harassment (for example, sexual/racial)
• Insubordination
• Leaving School Building without permission
• Making a bomb threat
• Misuse of technology, including cell phones, personal devices, ear devices
• Possession/distribution/posting of unauthorized, inappropriate literature
• Possession or sale of drugs, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol
• Possession/use of dangerous materials or weapons, including look-alikes
• Repeated occurrences of possession of other incendiary devices.
• Setting off and explosive device (or threat)
• Tampering with fire extinguishers
• Theft (determined by incident)
• Threat of violence to students or staff
• Tripping of fire alarm (criminal)
• Truancy - partial or full day
• Verbal abuse to staff
• Vulgar/obscene language, writing and/or gestures

The classroom is the best location to manage nearly all behavior issues. This approach permits all students to continue learning. To achieve this goal, teachers can call on other staff members for guidance and support. However, sometimes a student will be relocated to other building areas to manage a behavior issue. The teacher, the student and other staff will work together to return the student to the classroom as soon as possible and appropriate.

Detention

Student detentions may be used before, during, or after school as a corrective disciplinary measure. In the event of a detention, notices will be issued to parents/guardians. The teacher or school administrator will make prior arrangements with the parent/guardian for the student to serve a detention before or after school. The parent/guardian may be responsible for the student’s transportation.

 

The Board of Education defines gross disobedience or misconduct to include any behavior that is of such egregious nature as to constitute, on its face, gross disobedience or misconduct. Gross disobedience or misconduct also is any conduct, behavior, or activity, as defined by the Board of Education in its policies, that causes, or may reasonably cause, school authorities to forecast substantial injury or disruption or material interference with school-related activities or the rights of other students or school personnel, or the risk of same. Gross disobedience or misconduct may occur on school grounds, on a school bus, or at a school activity or activity reasonably related to school. It also may occur in a situation other than on school grounds or at a school-related activity, provided, however, that a reasonable relationship exists between the conduct of the student and a potential impact on the school, its processes, or its student environment. Gross disobedience and misconduct also shall include, but is not limited to, the following types of conduct and such other conduct as may be designated from time to time by policy of the Board of Education or the administration:

1. Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling tobacco or nicotine materials, e-cigarettes(whether or not containing tobacco or other substances),or vaping devices (whether or not containing tobacco or other substances).
2. Using, possessing, distributing, purchasing, or selling alcoholic beverages. Students who are under the influence of an alcoholic beverage are not permitted to attend school or school functions, and are treated as though they had alcohol in their possession.
3. Using, possessing*, distributing, purchasing, selling, or offering for sale:
   1. Any illegal drug or controlled substance, or cannabis (including marijuana, hashish, and medical cannabis unless the student is authorized to be administered a medical cannabis infused product under Ashley’s Law).
   2. Any anabolic steroid unless it is being administered in accordance with a physician’s or licensed practitioner’s prescription.
   3. Any performance-enhancing substance on the Illinois High School Association’s most current banned substance list unless administered in accordance with a physician’s or licensed practitioner’s prescription.
   4. Any prescription drug when not prescribed for the student by a physician or licensed practitioner, or when used in a manner inconsistent with the prescription or prescribing physician’s or licensed practitioner’s instructions. The use or possession of medical cannabis, even by a student for whom medical cannabis has been prescribed, is prohibited unless the student is authorized to be administered a medical cannabis infused product under Ashley’s Law.
   5. Any inhalant, regardless of whether it contains an illegal drug or controlled substance: (a) that a student believes is, or represents to be capable of, causing intoxication, hallucination, excitement, or dulling of the brain or nervous system; or (b) about which the student engaged in behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student intended the inhalant to cause intoxication, hallucination, excitement, or dulling of the brain or nervous system. The prohibition in this section does not apply to a student’s use of asthma or other legally prescribed inhalant medications.
   6. Any substance inhaled, injected, smoked, consumed, or otherwise ingested or absorbed with the intention of causing a physiological or psychological change in the body, including without limitation, pure caffeine in tablet or powdered form.
   7. “Look-alike” or counterfeit drugs, including a substance that is not prohibited by this policy, but one: (a) that a student believes to be, or represents to be, an illegal drug, controlled substance, or other substance that is prohibited by this policy; or (b) about which a student engaged in behavior that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student expressly or impliedly represented to be an illegal drug, controlled substance, or other substance that is prohibited by this policy.
   8. Drug paraphernalia, including devices that are or can be used to: (a) ingest, inhale, or inject cannabis or controlled substances into the body; and (b) grow, process, store, or conceal cannabis or controlled substances.

Students who are under the influence of any prohibited substance are not permitted to attend school or school functions, and are treated as though they had the prohibited substance, as applicable, in their possession.

4. Using, possessing, controlling, or transferring a weapon as that term is defined in the Weapons section of Board of Education Policy, or violating the Weapons section of that policy.
5. Using or possessing an electronic paging device. Using a cellular telephone, video recording device, personal digital assistant (PDA), or other electronic device in any manner that disrupts the educational environment or violates the rights of others, including using the device to take photographs in locker rooms or bathrooms, cheat, or otherwise violate student conduct rules. Prohibited conduct specifically includes, without limitation, creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing an indecent visual depiction of oneself or another person through the use of a computer, electronic communication device, or cellular phone. Unless otherwise banned under this policy or by the Building Principal, all electronic devices must be kept powered-off and out-of-sight during the regular school day unless: (a) the supervising teacher grants permission; (b) use of the device is provided in a student’s individualized education program (IEP); (c) it is needed in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals; or (d) as otherwise permitted by staff. 
6. Using or possessing a laser pointer unless under a staff member’s direct supervision and in the context of instruction.
7. Disobeying rules of student conduct or directives from staff members or school officials. Examples of disobeying staff directives include refusing a District staff member’s request to stop, present school identification, or submit to a search.
8. Engaging in academic dishonesty, including cheating, intentionally plagiarizing, wrongfully giving or receiving help during an academic examination, altering report cards, and wrongfully obtaining test copies or scores.
9. Engaging in hazing or any kind of bullying or aggressive behavior that does physical or psychological harm to a staff person or another student, or urging other students to engage in such conduct. Prohibited conduct specifically includes, without limitation, any use of violence, intimidation, force, noise, coercion, threats, stalking, harassment, sexual harassment, public humiliation, theft or destruction of property, retaliation, hazing, bullying, bullying using a school computer or a school computer network, or other comparable conduct.
10. Engaging in any sexual activity, including without limitation, offensive touching, sexual harassment, indecent exposure (including mooning), and sexual assault. This does not include the non-disruptive: (a) expression of gender or sexual orientation or preference, or (b) display of affection during non-instructional time.
11. Teen dating violence, as described in Board policy 7:185, Teen Dating Violence Prohibited. 
12. Causing or attempting to cause damage to, or stealing or attempting to steal, school property or another person’s personal property.
13. Entering school property or a school facility without proper authorization.
14. In the absence of a reasonable belief that an emergency exists, calling emergency responders (such as calling 911); signaling or setting off alarms or signals indicating the presence of an emergency; or indicating the presence of a bomb or explosive device on school grounds, school bus, or at any school activity.
15. Being absent without a recognized excuse; State law and School Board policy regarding truancy control will be used with chronic and habitual truants.
16. Being involved with any public school fraternity, sorority, or secret society, by: (a) being a member; (b) promising to join; (c) pledging to become a member; or (d) soliciting any other person to join, promise to join, or be pledged to become a member.
17. Being involved in gangs or gang-related activities, including displaying gang symbols or paraphernalia.
18. Violating any criminal law, including but not limited to, assault, battery, arson, theft, gambling, eavesdropping, vandalism, and hazing.
19. Making an explicit threat on an Internet website against a school employee, a student, or any school-related personnel if the Internet website through which the threat was made is a site that was accessible within the school at the time the threat was made or was available to third parties who worked or studied within the school grounds at the time the threat was made, and the threat could be reasonably interpreted as threatening to the safety and security of the threatened individual because of his or her duties or employment status or status as a student inside the school.
20. Operating an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drone for any purpose on school grounds or at any school event unless granted permission by the Superintendent or designee.
21. Engaging in any activity, on or off campus, that interferes with, disrupts, or adversely affects the school environment, school operations, or an educational function, including but not limited to, conduct that may reasonably be considered to: (a) be a threat or an attempted intimidation of a staff member; or (b) endanger the health or safety of students, staff, or school property. Examples of endangering health and safety include, but are not limited to, repeated failure during a declared health emergency to wear face coverings, maintain social distance, or practice other protective measures required by the District.

For purposes of this policy, the term “possession” includes having control, custody, or care, currently or in the past, of an object or substance, including situations in which the item is: (a) on the student’s person; (b) contained in another item belonging to, or under the control of, the student, such as in the student’s clothing, backpack, or automobile; (c) in a school’s student locker, desk, or other school property; or (d) at any location on school property or at a school-sponsored event.

Efforts, including the use of positive interventions and supports, shall be made to deter students, while at school or a school-related event, from engaging in aggressive behavior that may reasonably produce physical or psychological harm to someone else. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the parent/guardian of a student who engages in aggressive behavior is notified of the incident. The failure to provide such notification does not limit the Board’s authority to impose discipline, including suspension or expulsion, for such behavior.

No disciplinary action shall be taken against any student that is based totally or in part on the refusal of the student’s parent/guardian to administer or consent to the administration of psychotropic or psycho-stimulant medication to the student.

Any incident involving battery, firearms, or drugs shall immediately be reported to the police and the Student Incident Reporting System. In addition, if an administrator determines that any person is a clear and present danger to themselves or others, the administrator shall notify the State Police within 24 hours.

A suspension is an exclusion of a student from school and/or denial of educational services to which the student would be otherwise entitled, for a period not to exceed ten (10) consecutive school days. If a student is suspended due to gross disobedience or misconduct on a school bus, the student may be suspended from the bus in excess of ten (10) days for safety reasons.

In-School Suspension

Temporary exclusion of a student from a class or classes, with an opportunity to make up missed class work for credit.

Authority

In accordance with Section 10-22.6 of the Illinois School Code of Illinois, a school principal or appropriate designee shall have the authority to suspend students guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct with the exceptions noted in Section 4 of these Rules, and no action shall be taken against them for such suspension.

Due Process Procedures

The following preliminary procedures for suspension shall be observed:

• Before suspension, the student shall be given oral or written notice of the charges.
• If the student denies the charges, an opportunity shall be given to the student to present an explanation or evidence supporting their denial.
• The school principal shall make a decision and then inform the student if the suspension is to be imposed.

In accordance with previously stated rules concerning welfare and safety, students whose presence poses a continuing danger to persons or property or an ongoing threat of disrupting the academic process may be immediately removed from the school program. In such cases the requirements of notice and hearing set forth above shall follow as soon as practicable.

Immediately upon imposition of the suspension, the student and the parent/guardian of the student, shall receive oral and written notice of the following:

• The reason for the suspension, including a copy of the specific Rules and Regulations allegedly violated by the student.
• The beginning date and total number of days of the suspension.
• The right to a review of the suspension as set forth in Section III.

A request for a review hearing shall be submitted in writing within three (3) school days after receipt of the suspension notice. The review hearing will take place within five (5) days of the request or on a date mutually acceptable for all parties involved.

In all cases of suspension, the school principal shall not dismiss the suspended student from school until arrangements have been made with the student’s parents/guardians, or when school is dismissed for the day.

Review Hearing

A review hearing will take place with the Building Principal.

1. If the parent/guardian is not satisfied with the Building Principal response, they will be referred to the Superintendent.
2. The Superintendent will conduct a review.
3. The review hearing shall be conducted by the Board of Education or by a hearing officer appointed by the Board and will be held in executive session.
4. At the hearing, the student shall be afforded the following:
    
   1. The right to be represented by counsel (at the expense of the student or parents/guardians).
   2. The right to present evidence and call witnesses.
   3. A review of the evidence as contained in the summary of the suspension review/expulsion hearing conducted by a hearing officer shall be made by the Board of Education in executive session within ten (10) days of such hearing.

If the Board of Education finds in a hearing on the suspension of a student that the action was unjustified or unreasonable, the following procedures will be followed:

1. The student’s record will be expunged of all notations or remarks in regard to the suspension or expulsion.
2. The student’s absence(s) will be recorded as “excused.”
3. All educational opportunities and services missed by the student will be afforded. Tutoring will be provided for the number of days suspended, if deemed necessary by the administration.

An exclusion of a student from school and/or denial of educational services to which the student would otherwise be entitled shall be for a definite period of time greater than ten (10) consecutive days, but not to exceed two (2) calendar years.

Authority

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent and in accordance with Section 10-22.6 of the Illinois School Code of Illinois, the Board of Education may expel students guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct (See Board of Education Policy 7.210), and no action shall lie against them for such expulsion. Expulsion shall take place only after a review hearing by the Board, or the Board takes action upon findings submitted by a Board-appointed hearing officer. 

Due Process

Prior to the expulsion, the student and the student’s parent/guardian shall be notified of the following by registered or certified mail at least five (5) days prior to the date of the hearing, or at least three (3) days prior to the hearing date if a copy of the letter is personally delivered:

1. The reason(s) for expulsion including a copy of the specific Rules and Regulations allegedly violated by the student.

• The time, date, place and purpose of hearing.
• The review hearing procedures as set forth in Section III of these rules.

2. The review hearing shall be held at a time and date mutually convenient to the parties involved to the extent possible.

The review hearing shall be conducted by the Board of Education or by a hearing officer appointed by the Board and will be held in executive session.

At the hearing, the student shall be afforded:

1. The right to be represented by counsel (at the expense of the student or parents/guardians).
2. The right to present evidence and call witnesses.
3. A review of the evidence as contained in the summary of the suspension review/expulsion hearing conducted by a hearing officer shall be made by the Board of Education in executive session within ten (10) days of such hearing.

If the Board of Education finds in a hearing on the suspension of a student that the action was unjustified or unreasonable, the following procedures will be followed:

1. The student’s record will be expunged of all notations or remarks in regard to the suspension or expulsion.
2. The student’s absence(s) will be recorded as “excused.”
3. All educational opportunities and services missed by the student will be afforded. Tutoring will be provided for the number of days suspended, if deemed necessary by the administration.

The Explanation of Procedural Safeguards details the discipline guidelines for students with disabilities.

1. A student with a disability may be subject to exclusionary discipline for behavior which is not a manifestation of his or her disability.

2. If a student with a disability carries a weapon to school or a school function or knowingly possesses, uses, sells or solicits the sale of a controlled substance while at school or a school function, the student may be placed in an appropriate interim alternative educational setting for up to 45 calendar days.