6400

CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

6400

All students shall comply with the Code of Student Conduct of the Wake County Public School System, state and federal laws, school board policies, and local school rules governing student behavior and conduct. This code applies to any student who is on school property, who is in attendance at school or at any school-sponsored activity, or whose conduct at any time, place, or cyberspace, on or off campus, has a direct and immediate effect on maintaining order and discipline or protecting the safety and welfare of students or staff in the schools.

Student Expectation

Students are expected to be familiar with all rules of behavior in the Code of Student Conduct.  Students are to assist in promoting a safe and orderly school environment.  Students are encouraged to report to school authorities any serious violation of the Code of Student Conduct.

Range of Disciplinary Actions

Violation of Board policies, the Code of Student Conduct, regulations issued by the individual school, or North Carolina General Statutes may result in disciplinary action as described in this policy and 6530. Students shall be informed of local school rules that, if broken, may result in short-term suspension or long-term suspension.

A serious violation of any of the policies listed in this code of conduct may result in long-term suspension or expulsion of a student. Repeated violations of this code or of local school rules may subject a student to long-term suspension or expulsion, provided the student and parent have been notified of this possibility and non-disciplinary behavior interventions have been attempted.

Under Board policy and/or state law there are mandatory penalties for students in grades 6-12 for certain serious violations of the Student Code of Conduct.  While these mandatory penalties generally do not apply to elementary students, the principal has the discretion to recommend a long-term suspension as appropriate for serious infractions by students in grades K-5. 

A student who brings a firearm to school shall be subject to a 365-day suspension or expulsion as provided in Policy 6427.  A student who aids, abets or makes a bomb threat or hoax shall be subject to a 365-day suspension as provided in policy 6420.4.  A student who aids, abets, commits, or participates in the commission of a threat, hoax, false report, act of terror, or any other action in violation of Board Policy 6420.11 may be subject to a 365-day suspension.  Under state law these policies and consequences apply to all students, regardless of age. 

A student who is at least 13 years old and who physically assaults a school employee or another student, may be subject to removal to an alternative educational setting or to a 365-day suspension or expulsion as provided in Policy 6425.

Policies may be modified on a case-by-case basis to conform to the procedures established for the discipline of students with disabilities.

Reporting by Principal

When a principal has personal knowledge or actual notice that an act has occurred on school property involving assault resulting in serious personal injury, sexual assault, sexual offense, rape, kidnapping, indecent liberties with a minor, assault involving the use of a weapon, possession of a firearm in violation of the law, possession of a weapon in violation of the law or possession of a controlled substance in violation of the law, the school official shall report immediately such violation to the proper law enforcement agency.  Failure to report is a Class C misdemeanor.    In such cases, school officials shall cooperate fully with the law enforcement agency. Internal disciplinary proceedings shall proceed independently from the criminal investigation and prosecution.

The principal shall also notify the superintendent/designee of the report made to law enforcement officials pursuant to this policy and the Superintendent shall notify the Board.

Legal Reference: G.S. 115C-391 and G.S. 115C-288(g)

 Adopted: May 5, 1980

 Revised: May 16, 1983

 Revised: July 8, 1987

 Revised: May 20, 1991

 Revised: August 19, 1991

 Revised: November 15, 1993

 Revised: October 17, 1994

 Revised: November 8, 1995

 Revised: May 17, 1999

 Revised: May 30, 2001

 Revised: May 21, 2002

 Revised: May 6, 2003

 Revised: March 2, 2004

 Revised: March 6, 2007

 Revised: March 18, 2008 (effective July 1, 2008)