CODE OF CONDUCT 

It is the purpose of the Calhoun City School System to operate each school in a manner that will provide an orderly process of education and that will provide for the welfare and safety of  students. In accordance with that purpose, the Board of Education has adopted a policy which requires students to conduct themselves appropriately at all times in order to facilitate a learning environment for themselves and other students. These standards for behavior require students to respect each other and school district employees, to obey student behavior policies adopted by the Board, and to obey student behavior rules established within the district. 

The school’s primary goal is to educate, not to punish; however, when the behavior of an individual student comes in conflict with the rights of others, corrective actions may be necessary for the benefit of that individual and the school as a whole. Accordingly, students shall be governed by policies, regulations, and rules set forth in this Code of Conduct. 

Also, students may be disciplined for conduct off campus which is felonious or which may pose a threat to the school’s learning environment or the safety of students and employees. Any student charged with a felony, or crime of a felonious nature, shall be assigned to an alternative school placement. Parents are encouraged to become familiar with the Code of Conduct and to be supportive of it in their daily communication with their children and others in the community. 

Code of Conduct Glossary

Bus Suspension – The school administrator suspends the student from the bus for a specified period of time.  The student is expected to attend school, but the parents are responsible for providing transportation to school.  Failure to attend school will result in an unexcused absence.

COLA – Calhoun City Schools’ Online Learning Academy that also serves as an alternative-learning environment for eligible students who are long-term suspended from the regular school setting.

Detention – Student attends a session outside of regular school hours.  Parents are responsible for transportation.

Disciplinary Probation – A student found guilty of certain offenses might be placed on probation by the local school and/or the Disciplinary Tribunal Panel.  Probation is a trial period during which a student violating school and/or school system rules is subject to further disciplinary action.

Disciplinary Waiver – Parents may sign a waiver if they cannot attend or do not elect to attend the panel hearing.  In the event a parent or student does not attend the hearing, it will proceed as scheduled.

Due Process – A student is afforded oral or written notice of the charges against him/her and is given an opportunity for a review, hearing or other procedural rights in accordance with state and federal laws.

In-School Suspension – The student is removed from regular classes for a specified period of time at the local school.  The teachers send class work assignments to the student.  Student remains under the direct supervision of school personnel.  

Long-Term Suspension – The student is suspended out-of-school for more than ten (10) days.  During the term of suspension the student is not allowed on the school campus or at any school activity or school-sponsored event unless prior approval is received from the school principal.

Permanent Expulsion – The student is removed from all public school property and activities or events for an indefinite period of time.  This action may be taken by the Board of Education or Disciplinary Tribunal.  Schoolwork may not be made up or credit given.  

Short-Term Suspension – The student is suspended out of school for up to ten (10) days by the local school administrator.  The student may be suspended for an accumulation of offenses, as well as a major offense.  Suspended students may make up tests and assignments that the teacher determines will have impact on the student’s final grade and mastery of course content.  Assignments that the teacher does not require to be made up will not count towards a student’s final grade.  It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to make up work within five (5) school days upon return to school.  During the term of suspension the student is not allowed on the school campus or at any school activity or school-sponsored event unless prior approval is received from the school principal.

Student Disciplinary Panel – A three-member panel composed of an administrator, teacher leader, or other school official.  The Panel hears evidence presented by the school system, the student, and parents when a student is referred by the school principal or designee.  The Panel has the authority to make decisions ranging from returning the student to school or recommending permanent expulsion of the student.

Zero Tolerance – There will be consequences for serious drug, weapon, and youth gang/hate group offenses on school property or at a school activity, function, or event.  The school system will be proactive.  Each individual case will be reviewed and handled accordingly.

Progressive Discipline Procedures   When it is necessary to impose discipline, school administrators and teachers will follow a progressive discipline process. The degree of discipline to be imposed will be in proportion to the severity of the behavior of a particular student and will take into account the student’s discipline history, the age of the student, and other relevant factors. 

The Code of Conduct provides a systematic process of behavioral correction in which inappropriate behaviors are followed by consequences. Disciplinary actions are designed to teach students self-discipline and to help them substitute inappropriate behaviors with those that are consistent with the character traits from Georgia’s Character Education Program. 

Student behaviors that result in disciplinary action are categorized into three state-determined discipline levels.  Discipline levels are based on the severity of the inappropriate behaviors and/or actions of the student.  The discipline levels coincide with the progressive discipline actions.  The maximum punishment for an offense includes long-term suspension (more than 10 days) or expulsion, including permanent expulsion.  Those punishments will be determined by a disciplinary tribunal panel as outlined in the Calhoun City Board of Education policies. 

School principals or designees may recommend that a student be considered eligible to apply to attend COLA during a long-term suspension.  Upon this recommendation or decision, long-term suspended students may attend COLA for all or any assigned portion of their long-term suspension pursuant to a contract.  The contract may include a minimum length of time that extends past the long-term suspension.  All students accepted into COLA will be on an individualized education plan and contract that will address behavior, attendance, and academic objectives.  If the student violates the terms of the contract, he/she may forfeit the opportunity to attend COLA during the remainder of his/her long-term suspension pursuant to the order of the Tribunal Panel, waiver, and/or the terms of the contract.  Students who violate the terms of the contract and have been assigned to COLA for reasons other than a disciplinary tribunal decision may be referred to a disciplinary tribunal for further disciplinary action.  Students permanently expelled from Calhoun City Schools are not eligible for enrollment in COLA.

Parents or students may elect not to contest whether a student has violated the Code of Conduct or the appropriate discipline, and in such case, an agreement may be negotiated with the school administrator.  This would include the parents or students waiving a right to a hearing before a disciplinary tribunal. Such an agreement and waiver must be approved also by the disciplinary tribunal or hearing officer in accordance with local Board policy. 

Before a student is suspended for ten days or less, the principal or designee will inform the student of the offense for which the student is charged and allow the student to explain his or her behavior. If the student is suspended, the student’s parents will be notified if possible. School officials may involve law enforcement officials when evidence surrounding a situation necessitates their involvement or when there is a legal requirement that an incident be reported. 

School officials may search a student if there is reasonable suspicion the student is in possession of an item that is illegal or against school rules. Student vehicles brought on campus, student book bags, school lockers, desks and other school property are subject to inspection and search by school authorities at any time without further notice to students or parents. Students are required to cooperate if asked to open book bags, lockers or any vehicle brought on campus. Metal detectors and drug or weapon sniffing dogs may be utilized at school or at any school function, including activities that occur outside normal school hours or off the school campus at the discretion of administrators. 

Students are expected to be on their best behavior at all times, including when they attend either home or away athletic events, dances, etc.  This expectation applies to both participants and spectators.  Students not exhibiting proper conduct will be required to leave the athletic event and may be unable to attend future events or may be subject to disciplinary action.  Students attending any school system activity, not just high school events, are subject to this policy.

Rules of Conduct

The following behaviors will result in disciplinary procedures.  The degree of discipline imposed will be in accordance with the progressive discipline process unless otherwise stated and is noted at the end of each rule.  The Code of Conduct is effective during the following times and in the following places: a)  at school or on school property at any time; b) off school grounds at any school activity, function or event, and while traveling to and from such events;  c) on vehicles provided for student transportation by the school system. 

GADOE Discipline Matrix - Updated January, 2020