Any student enrolled in the DeKalb County School District is expected to understand and adhere to all school rules and commit to regular school attendance and acceptable behavior while traveling to and from school.
A student who chooses to violate school rules will receive consequences for his or her actions up to and including expulsion. A recommendation for expulsion shall be the expected outcome for those who have been found to be involved in serious offenses including the possession/use of dangerous weapons; the sale of illicit drugs including, but not limited to, alcoholic beverages; offenses involving physical violence; destruction of school property; or threats to destroy school property or other significant violations. Expulsion of students shall be based on the decision of a Hearing Officer, appointed by the Superintendent, as outlined in the DeKalb Policy Code JD on Student Discipline.
Any student who is enrolled in a school in the DeKalb County School District and who is determined to have transported, possessed, or used a firearm at any campus, school, facility, or school activity under the jurisdiction of the DeKalb County Board of Education shall be expelled from the District for a period of not less than one year. The Superintendent or designee may modify or waive the expulsion on a case-by-case basis.
The parents or guardians of students have the responsibility of supervision until such time as the student boards the bus in the morning and after the student leaves the bus at the end of the day. The school has the authority to discipline a student for any misconduct occurring on the way to or from school. Once the student boards the bus, the student is expected to conduct himself or herself on the bus in a manner consistent with the established standards for classroom behavior.
Students may possess and use electronic communication devices in accordance with procedures promulgated by the Superintendent. Such procedures shall provide that electronic communication devices may not be used during instruction time, as defined in the Code of Student Conduct – Student Rights and Responsibilities and Character Development Handbook, and do not interfere with the educational mission of the schools or pose a safety hazard.
Principals and assistant principals, in order to maintain proper control and discipline of students under their care and supervision, may, in the exercise of sound discretion, administer consequences to students who violate school rules. However, school personnel may not use corporal punishment as a consequence with students under their care and supervision.
Specific descriptions, definitions, expectations and guidelines for the implementation of this policy are published in the Code of Student Conduct - Student Rights and Responsibilities and Character Development Handbook. This handbook shall have the effect of policy and shall be maintained by the Department of Safe Schools and Student Relations.
All substantive school rules applying to general education shall apply to students with disabilities except as otherwise provided by law. Procedures for discipline for students with disabilities are governed, with specificity, by applicable state and federal law.
Legal References
- O.C.G.A. 16-05-0021 — Aggravated assault (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 16-06-0001 — Rape (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 16-11-0037 — Terroristic threats and acts; penalties (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 16-11-0037.1 — Dissemination of information relating to terroristic acts (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 16-11-0127 — Carrying deadly weapons to or at public gatherings (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 16-11-0127.1 — Carrying weapons within school safety zones, at school functions or on school property (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 16-11-0132 — Possession of handgun by person under the age of 18 years (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 16-12-0100.1 — Electronically furnishing obscene material to minors (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 16-12-0100.2 — Computer or electronic pornography and child exploitation prevention (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 16-12-0170 — Definitions (tobacco related) (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 16-13-0030 — Purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution or sale of controlled substances or marijuana (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0152.2 — Protocols for assessment of trauma in students in foster care; guidance regarding trauma and its impact on students (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0705 — Parental consent for participation in school clubs and organizations (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0730 — Corporal punishment (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0731 — When and how corporal punishment may be administered (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0732 — When principal or teacher not liable for administering corporal punishment (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0735 — Adoption of policies by LBOEs to improve student learning environment (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0736 — Student codes of conduct; distribution (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0737 — Reports by teacher of violations of student code of conduct; parental notice (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0738 — Authority of teacher to remove student from classroom; procedures (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0740 — Annual report by LBOE regarding disciplinary and placement action (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0741 — Positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) and response to intervention (RTI) (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0751 — Definitions. Dangerous weapon, firearm, hazardous object, expulsion, suspension (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0751.1 — Expulsion policy for students bringing weapons to school (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0751.2 — Students subject to disciplinary orders of other schools (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0751.4 — Policies prohibiting bullying; assignment to alternative school; notice (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0751.5 — Student Code of conduct; safety rules on school buses; distribution (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0751.6 — Disciplinary policy for students committing acts of physical violence against school employees (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0752 — Establishment of disciplinary hearing officers, panels or tribunals; rules and regs (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0753 — Disciplinary hearing officer, panel, or tribunal to hold disciplinary hearing following allegation of assault and battery or recommended suspension or expulsion exceeding 10 days (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0754 — Procedures to be followed by disciplinary officer, panel, or tribunal; review (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0756 — Reports to law enforcement officials (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0757 — Applicability of public inspection and open meeting laws (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0765 — Notification of parent or guardian of chronic disciplinary problem student; observance of child by parent or guardian; attendance of conference with principal or teacher or both (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0766 — Students returning from expulsion or suspension; notice to parents; conference with principal or teacher to devise disciplinary and behavioral correction plan (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0766.1 — Proceeding against parents for failure to cooperate in educational programs; penalty (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0767 — Alternative Education Systems - definitions of expulsion/suspension (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-0768 — Expulsion or suspension of students for felonies; alternative educational system; policy (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-1126 — Written policies and procedures for operation of school buses; receipt of code of conduct by students; acknowledgement by parent or guardians (Lexis)
- O.C.G.A. 20-02-1184 — Mandatory reporting of students committing certain prohibited acts (Lexis)
- Rule 160-4-8-.15 — Student Discipline
- 18 USC 1951 — Interference with commerce by threats or violence
- 18 USC 922 — Unlawful acts regarding firearms