502.13 - Physical Restraint and Corporal Punishment

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)