The Board believes inappropriate student conduct causes material and substantial disruption to the school environment, interferes with the rights of others, and/or presents a threat to the health and safety of students, personnel, and visitors on school premises.  Appropriate classroom behavior allows teachers to communicate more effectively with students.

Students shall conduct themselves in a manner fitting to their age level and maturity and with mutual respect and consideration for the rights of others while in school, on school property, in school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; attending or engaged in school events, acting as a representative of the school district, or while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management, and welfare of the school district.  Consequences for the misconduct will be fair and developmentally appropriate in light of the circumstances.

Students will be informed of the building regulations which they must follow.  Students who fail to abide by this policy and the building regulations supporting it, or whose conduct disrupts or interferes with the education program or the efficient operation of the school district or activity, or whose conduct disrupts the rights of other students to obtain their education or participation, or whose conduct is violent or destructive, or whose conduct interrupts the maintenance of a disciplined atmosphere shall be subject to disciplinary measures. 

Discipline will be administered depending on the severity and frequency of the acts of misconduct.  The imposition of discipline will be within the discretion of the individual responsible for imposing the discipline.  In instances where there has been a violation of the law, as well as school rules, appropriate law enforcement officials will be contacted and may become involved in the district’s administration of discipline.  The school reserves the right to seek restitution from the parents/guardians of a student or the student for damage caused by the student.

Discipline may include, but is not limited to, removal from the classroom, detention, restriction from activities, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, probation, and expulsion.  These disciplinary measures are defined as follows:

• Removal from the classroom means a student is sent to the building principal’s office.  It is within the discretion of the person in charge of the classroom to remove the student.
• Detention means the student’s presence is required during non-school hours for disciplinary purposes.  The student can be required to appear prior to the beginning of the school day, after school has been dismissed for the day, or on a non-school day.  Whether a student will serve detention, and the length of the detention, is within the discretion of the licensed employee disciplining the student or the building principal.
• Suspension means either an in-school suspension, an out-of-school suspension, a restriction from activities, or loss of eligibility.  An in-school suspension means the student will attend school but will be temporarily isolated from one or more classes while under supervision.  An in-school suspension will not exceed ten consecutive school days.  An out-of-school suspension means the student is removed from the school environment, which includes school classes and activities.  An out-of-school suspension will not exceed ten days.  A restriction from school activities means a student will attend school and classes and practice but will not participate in school activities.
• Probation means a student is given a conditional suspension of a penalty for a definite period of time in addition to being reprimanded.  The conditional suspension will mean the student must meet the conditions and terms for the suspension of the penalty.  Failure of the student to meet these conditions and terms will result in immediate reinstatement of the penalty.
• Expulsion means an action by the board to remove a student from the school environment, which includes but is not limited to, classes and activities, for a period of time set by the board.

The school district may issue discipline beyond what is outlined above.  Additionally, the school district and the student and/or the student’s parent/guardian may mutually agree to alternative discipline beyond what is outlined above.  The Board authorizes the superintendent to consider and approve any discipline that does not rise to the level of a student expulsion, as defined above and under Iowa law.

A student who commits an assault against an employee or against school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district, while on school-owned or school-operated chartered buses, or while attending or engaged in school district activities shall be suspended by the principal and/or activities director.  Notice of the suspension shall be sent to the Superintendent. The superintendent shall inform the Board, and the Board shall review the suspension to determine whether to impose further sanctions against the student which may include expulsion.  Assault for purposes of this section of this policy is defined as:

• an act which is intended to cause pain or injury to, or which is intended to result in physical contact which will be insulting or offensive to another, coupled with the apparent ability to execute the act; or
• any act which is intended to place another in fear of immediate physical contact which will be painful, injurious, insulting or offensive, coupled with the apparent ability to execute the act; or
• the intentional pointing of any firearm toward another or displaying in a threatening manner any dangerous weapon toward another.

The act is not an assault when the person doing any of the above and the other person are voluntary participants in a sport, social or other activity, not in itself criminal, when the act is a reasonably foreseeable incident of such sport or activity, and does not create an unreasonable risk of serious injury or breach of the peace.

If a special education student’s suspension(s), either in or out of school, equals ten days on a cumulative basis, a staffing team shall meet to determine whether the Individual Education Plan (IEP) is appropriate.  Alternative educational setting may be made for up to forty-five (45) days if a special education child carries a weapon to school or knowingly possesses or uses illegal drugs or sells or solicits the sale of a controlled substance while in school or attending a school function.  Further, if a student is deemed to be dangerous, a hearing officer may order a change in placement for up to forty-five (45) days. During an alternative setting, or suspension, or expulsion, a student is to continue to participate in instruction and receive special services and modifications to meet the goals set out in the IEP.  This will also occur prior to decisions regarding the expulsion of a special education student.  When a special education student is suspended for reasons related to an assault upon a school employee, an informal evaluation of the student’s placement shall take place and the IEP shall be evaluated to determine whether it needs to be changed or modified in response to the behavior that led to the suspension. 

Approved: April 6, 198

Reviewed: January 16, 1989; June 15, 1992; September 19, 1994; November 17, 1997, March 15, 2010; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019

Revised: January 16, 2023

Participation in school activities is a privilege.  School activities provide the benefits of promoting additional interests and abilities in the students during their school years and for their lifetimes.

Students who participate in extra-curricular activities serve as ambassadors of the school district throughout the calendar year whether at or away from school.  Students who wish to have the privilege of participating in school extra-curricular activities and other school sponsored activities must conduct themselves in accordance with board policy, and must refrain from activities which are illegal, immoral, or unhealthy throughout the school year.

Students who fail to abide by this policy and the administrative regulations supporting it may be subject to disciplinary measures.  Students disciplined under the conduct rule shall receive appropriate due process in concert with the nature of the misconduct.  It shall be the responsibility of the principal to maintain a record of violations for the good conduct policy and supporting administrative regulations.

Any student declared ineligible under the prior school district’s Good Conduct Rule, and then without having completed the full period of ineligibility at that school transfers to the South Tama County High School, will not be eligible for interscholastic competition at South Tama County High School until the full period of ineligibility has been completed.  Once that time period of ineligibility has been completed, the student is then immediately eligible for interscholastic competition at the South Tama County High School as far as any Good Conduct Rule is concerned.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principals, to develop administrative regulations regarding conduct for each school activity.  (See Student Handbook and Activities Handbook). 

(April 17, 1989; July 19, 1993. March 15, 2010; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

The board prohibits students from bringing to school, possessing, and/or using a weapon, dangerous object, or look-a-like in a school building or on school premises or property.  Students bringing to school, possessing, and/or using weapons, other dangerous objects, and look-a-likes in school district facilities and on school district property causes material and substantial disruption to the school environment and/or presents a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors on the school district premises or property within the jurisdiction of the school district. 

Any student bringing to school, possessing, and/or using a weapon, look-a-like, other dangerous object, or any instrument used as a weapon onto school district property or onto property within the jurisdiction of the school district may be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, suspension or expulsion from school. 

In accordance with federal and state law, students bringing or knowingly possessing a “firearm” to school shall be expelled for not less than twelve months.  The superintendent shall have the authority to recommend this expulsion requirement be modified for a student on a case-by-case basis. 

For purposes of this policy, the term “firearm” includes, but is not limited to, any weapon which is designed to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, the frame or receiver of any such weapon, a muffler or silencer for such a weapon, or any explosive, incendiary or poison gas.  Look-alike objects which resemble firearms or weapons may be treated as a firearm or weapon if school personnel consider them to be a threat to an orderly school environment.  Factors to be considered in determining whether an object is to be treated as a look-alike firearm or weapon include, but are not limited to, how the object was represented, appearance of the object, use of the object, and climate or context in which the object was found.

For purposes of this policy, the term “dangerous object” includes any instrument or device designed primarily for use in inflicting death or injury upon a human being or animal, and which is capable of inflicting death upon a human being when used in the manner for which it was designed.  The term “dangerous object” also includes any instrument or device or any sort whatsoever which is actually used in such a manner as to indicate that the individual intends to inflict death or injury upon the other, and which, when so used, is capable of inflicting death upon a human being.  In addition, dangerous objects or any instrument used as a weapon in the school includes any object used to intimidate, coerce, scare or threaten a student, school district employee or visitor.  Dangerous objects therefore include, but are not limited to, clubs, nunchakus, brass knuckles, knives regardless of blade length, stun guns, BB and pellet guns, toy guns used or displayed as real guns, and unloaded guns.

Any student bringing to school, possessing, and/or using a “dangerous weapon,” as defined in the law, on school grounds is violation of school policy that must be reported to local law enforcement agencies.  Additionally, the weapon, look-a-like, other dangerous object, or any instrument used as a weapon may be confiscated by school officials and may be turned over to law enforcement agencies, as necessary and/or appropriate. 

Weapons, including firearms; other dangerous objects; and look-alikes, including hunting rifles or shotguns, are not allowed on school property or at school activities even if they are unloaded and locked in vehicles.  Weapons, other dangerous objects, and look-alikes will be taken from any person who bring them onto the school district property or onto property within the jurisdiction of the school district or from students who are within the control of the school district.

The following are specifically excluded from this policy:

• Weapons under the control of law enforcement officials,
• Starter pistols under the control of officials hired by the school for this purpose, and/or under the control of the Activity Director or STC Administrators,
• Weapons under the control of recognized military groups to perform honor guard ceremonies,
• Weapons or other dangerous objects or look-alikes used by authorized persons for educational purposes, and
• Weapons (firearms must be look-alike only) under the control of the school employee and used as part of a dramatic production and performance.

Except for weapons under the control of law enforcement, approval for the above exceptions must be sought, IN ADVANCE, from the building principal.

(December 19, 1994; May 15, 1995; November 20, 1995; November 17, 1997; May 17, 1999; May 21, 2001, March 15, 2010; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

The board prohibits the distribution, dispensing, manufacture, possession, use, or being under the influence of beer, wine, alcohol, tobacco, other controlled substances, or “look alike” substances that appear to be beer, wine, alcohol, tobacco, or controlled substances by students while on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if the misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district. 

Students distributing, dispensing, manufacturing, possessing, using, or being under the influence of such illegal, unauthorized or contraband materials causes material and substantial disruption to the school environment and/or presents a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors on the school district premises or property within the jurisdiction of the school district.

Any student violating this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, suspension or expulsion from school.  Use of, purchase of, or being in possession of cigarettes, tobacco, or tobacco products for those under the age of eighteen may be reported to the local law enforcement authorities.  Use of, purchase of, being in possession of, or being under the influence of beer, wine, alcohol and/or a controlled substance may also be reported to the local law enforcement authorities.

Students who violate the terms of this policy may be required to satisfactorily complete a substance abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved by the school board.  If such student fails to satisfactorily complete such a program, the student may be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, suspension or expulsion from school.

The board believes the substance abuse prevention program will include:

• Age-appropriate, developmentally-based drug and alcohol curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through twelve, which address the legal, social, and health consequences of tobacco, drug and alcohol use and which provide information about effective techniques for resisting peer pressure to use tobacco, drugs or alcohol;
• A statement to students that the use of illicit drugs and the unlawful possession and use of alcohol is wrong and harmful;
• Standards of conduct for students that clearly prohibit, at a minimum, the unlawful possession, use, being under the influence of or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students on school premises or as part of any of its activities;
• A clear statement that disciplinary sanctions, up to and including suspension or expulsion and referral for prosecution, will be imposed on students who violate the policy and a description of those sanctions;
• A statement that students may be required to successfully complete an appropriate rehabilitation program;
• Information about drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation and re-entry programs available to students;
• A requirement that parents and students be given a copy of the standards of conduct and the statement of disciplinary sanctions required; and
• Notification to parents and students that compliance with the standards of conduct is mandatory.

(April 6, 1981; April 17, 1989; November 17, 1997; January 18, 1999; March 15, 2010; April 18, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

Students are prohibited from engaging in any conduct of a sexual or indecent nature while on school district property; while on school owned and/or operated buses; while attending or engaging in school sponsored trips or extra and co-curricular activities; and while away from school grounds if the conduct will directly affect the good order and general welfare of the school district.

The development of student self-discipline shall be encouraged, but all employees of the district shall have the authority and responsibility for seeing that student behavior is in compliance with this policy’s standards at all times.  Students who fail to abide by this policy may be disciplined for their conduct.  Disciplinary measures include, but are not limited to, a denial of bus transportation services, removal from participation in school trips or extra and co-curricular activities, detention, suspension and expulsion. 

(March 20, 2000, March 15, 2010; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

The board believes inappropriate student appearance causes material and substantial disruption to the school environment and/or presents a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors.  Therefore, to ensure an orderly learning environment, students and parents are responsible for the student wearing clean and appropriate clothing in attendance at school and school activities.

It is inappropriate and a violation of school policy for students to wear apparel promoting products that are illegal for use by minors and clothing displaying obscene material, profanity, or with references to prohibited conduct.  Dress that is a threat to health or safety or is disruptive to the learning environment will not be acceptable.  Further, certain written or spoken words or symbols on clothing or on the person may be prohibited, without being demonstrably disruptive, if the expression conflicts with the schools’ basic educational mission.  The STC educational mission includes, but is not limited to, the goal of establishing a common core of values which support human dignity, self-respect, and responsibility towards self and others.

The presence of gang activity in the school and community has been detected by local law enforcement, school, and consultant personnel.  Such activity has included the selling of controlled substances, violence, and intimidation. 

The term “gang” in this policy is defined as a “criminal street gang’ as defined in Iowa law 723.A.  A criminal street gang means any ongoing organization, association or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, having as one of its primary activities the commission of one or more criminal acts, which has an identifiable name or identifying sign or symbol, and whose members individually or collectively engage in or have engaged in a pattern of criminal gang activity.  “Pattern of criminal gang activity” means commission, attempt to commit, conspiring to commit, or solicitation of two or more criminal acts, provided the criminal acts were committed on separate dates or by two or more persons who are members of, or belong to, the same criminal street gang.

To ensure an orderly learning environment, gang related behavior such as signs, symbols, and gestures are prohibited on school property, buses, and school sponsored events.  Prohibited behavior may include apparel, jewelry, accessory, book, or manner of grooming which, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, symbol or any other attribute, denotes membership in a gang and creates a danger of the commission of unlawful acts or violation of school regulations, or the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school.  Similarly, behavior is prohibited which is identified as involving gang recruitment, initiation, hazing, wearing of colors with gang affiliations, intimidation, fighting, assault, or establishment of turf on school property or at school functions and school-related activities.  Such behavior is likely to cause physical harm or personal degradation or disgrace which is harmful to self or to others and disruptive of the learning atmosphere of a school. 

School personnel are authorized to cause the removal of gang signs and symbols appearing on personal items as well as those that are on public property.  Persons who refuse to remove signs and symbols, which have gang implications or who behave in a manner which is gang related are subject to discipline up to and including removal from activities, detention, suspension or expulsion from school. 

(November 18, 1996; June 16, 1997; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

The board generally prohibits the possession and/or use by students of pagers, beepers, cellular phones, laser pointers, other electronic communication devices for receiving and/or transmitting messages, and “look alike” substances that appear to be said devices while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; and while attending or engaged in school activities.  A school administrative may grant individual students specific permission to possess and/or use such devices.  Electronic equipment may be brought on school district property during the school day only with administrative approval, so long as it does not cause disruption.

The principal and/or designee will confiscate all such unauthorized devices.  Only a parent or legal guardian of the student may reclaim them from the principal and/or designee.  If unclaimed, the devices will be forfeited at the end of each school year.  In addition to confiscation of the device, any student violating this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, suspension or expulsion from school.

(October 20, 1997: March 15, 2010; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

Students will treat school district property with the care and the respect they would treat their own property.  Students found to have destroyed or otherwise harmed school district property may be required to reimburse the school district.  They may be subject to discipline under board policy and the school district rules and regulations.  They may also be referred to local law enforcement authorities.

(April 18, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

School district property is held in public trust by the Board.  School district authorities may, without a search warrant, search students, protected student areas, and/or student vehicles based on a reasonable and articulable suspicion that a school district policy, rule, regulation, or law has been violated.  The search shall be in a manner reasonable in scope to maintain order and discipline in the schools, promote the educational environment, and protect the safety and welfare of students, employees, and visitors to the school district facilities. 

School district authorities may also conduct periodic inspections of all, or a randomly selected number of, school lockers, desks, and other facilities or spaces owned by the district and provided as a courtesy to a student.  The furnishing of a locker, desk or other facility or space owned by the school and provided as a courtesy to a student, even if the student provides the lock for it, shall not create a protected student area and shall not give rise to an expectation of privacy with respect to the locker, desk, or other facility.

School authorities may seize any illegal, unauthorized, or contraband materials discovered in the search.  Items of contraband may include, but are not limited to, non-prescription controlled substances, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, apparatus used for controlled substances, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, weapons, explosives, poisons, stolen property, and any other item of which the possession or use of may violate Board policy or the law.  Such items are not to be possessed by a student while they are on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district.  Possession of such items will be grounds for disciplinary action including, but not limited to, suspension or expulsion and may be reported to local law enforcement officials.  The Board believes that illegal, unauthorized or contraband materials may cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment or presents a threat to the health and safety of students, employees, or visitors on the school district premises or property within the jurisdiction of the school district.

(April 6, 1981; June 15, 1992; November 20, 1995; May 18, 1998, March 15, 2010; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

Student lockers are the property of the school district.  Students will use the lockers assigned to them by the school district for storing their school materials and personal belongings necessary for attendance at school.  It is the responsibility of students to keep their assigned lockers clean and undamaged.

To ensure students are properly maintaining their assigned lockers, the principal of the building may periodically inspect all or a random selection of lockers.  Either the student or another individual will be present during the inspection of lockers.  Student lockers may also be searched, at any time and without advance notice, in compliance with board policy regulating search and seizure.  Either the student or another individual will be present during the search of lockers.

(April 18, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

A student may not be interviewed in school unless the building principal gives specific permission.  Generally, individuals other than parents and school district officials and employees may not interview students during the school day.  No interview shall be permitted unless the principal deems it essential to the welfare of the pupil as set forth in regulations, or he is directed to do so by court order.

Requests from law enforcement officers and from persons other than parents, school district officials, and employees to interview students are made through the principal’s office.  Upon receiving a request, it is the responsibility of the principal to determine whether the request will be granted.  Generally, prior to granting a request, the principal will attempt to contact the parents to inform them of the request and to ask them to be present.

If a child abuse investigator wishes to interview a student, the principal will defer to the investigator’s judgment as to whether the student should be interviewed independently from the student’s parents, whether the school is the most appropriate setting for the interview, and who will be present during the interview.

No student may be taken from the school without consent of the building principal, except by court order accompanied by a peace officer or a peace officer acting in the line of duty. 

(April 6, 1981; June 15, 1992; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)

The South Tama County Community School District prohibits the use of corporal punishment as a form of student discipline.  An employee shall not inflict, or cause to be inflicted, corporal punishment upon a student.  For purposes of this section, “corporal punishment” means the intentional physical punishment of a student.  An employee’s physical contact with the body of a student shall not be considered corporal punishment if it is reasonable and necessary under the circumstances and is not designed or intended to cause pain or as otherwise supported by law. 

There are occasions when an employee needs to use physical restraint of a student to protect the student, others, or property from harm.  An employee is permitted to:

• Use reasonable and necessary force, not designed or intended to cause pain, in order to accomplish any of the following:
  • To quell a disturbance or prevent an at that threatens physical harm to any person.
  • To obtain possession of a weapon or other dangerous object within a student’s control
  • For the purposes of self-defense or defense of others as provided for in Iowa law.
  • For the protection of property as provided for in Iowa law.
  • To remove a disruptive student from class or any area of school premises or from school-sponsored activities off school premises
  • To protect a student from the self-infliction of harm.
  • To protect the safety of others.
• Use incidental, minor, or reasonable physical contact to maintain order and control.

Reasonable physical force should be commensurate with the circumstances of the situation.  The following factors should be considered in using reasonable physical force of a student as outlined in this policy:

• The size and physical, mental, and psychological condition of the student;
• The nature of the student’s behavior or misconduct provoking the use of physical force;
• The instrumentality used in applying the physical force;
• The extent and nature of resulting injury to the student, if any;
• The motivation of the school employee using physical force.

Upon request, the student’s parents are provided the explanation of the reasons and documentation related to the use of physical force.

(January 16, 1989; May 17, 1999, March 15, 2010; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)