Substantive Rules of the Fulton County
Board of Education
Rule 1. Disruption and Interference with School
A student shall not: a. occupy any school building, gymnasium,
school grounds, properties or part thereof with intent to deprive others
of its use, or where the effect thereof is to deprive others of its use;
b. block the entrance or exit of any school building or property or corridor
or room thereof so as to deprive others of access thereto; c. prevent
or attempt to prevent the convening or continued functioning of any school,
class, activity or lawful meeting or assembly on the school campus; d.
prevent a student from attending class or school activity;
e. except under the direct instruction of the principal, block
normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a school campus or adjacent grounds;
f. continuously and intentionally make noise or act in any other manner
so as to interfere seriously with the school employee's ability to perform
his/her duties; g. use, display, or turn on a pocket pager, cellular telephone
or other [personal] electronic communication device on school property,
except for middle and high school students who may use such devices on
school grounds before or after the regular school day. Elementary students
are prohibited from possessing cellular telephones at any time. No such
devices may be used at any time on school system operated vehicles, or
during an emergency drill or evacuation. [These limits on the use of personal
communication devices do not apply to students whose special needs require
the use of such a device to enhance speech or hearing]. Students who are
found with such devices in the “on” position, in use, or displayed except
as permitted above, shall have the device confiscated by the school administrator.]
The school administrator should contact the parents to notify them that
they have ten business days in which to produce proof of purchase or lease.
All items that are not claimed by a parent through presentation of proof
of purchase or lease are to be delivered directly to the office of school
police. The student's first violation of this rule will result in in-school
suspension. Subsequent violations may result in out-of-school suspension
and/or other appropriate disciplinary action. See Rule 18, below, for specific
rules relating to use of electronic equipment and other items while on
the school bus.
Pagers, cellular telephones or electronic communication devices
secured inside student automobiles will not be considered an infraction
of this rule; h. in any other manner, by the use of violence, force, noise,
coercion, threat, intimidation, fear, passive resistance, false statements,
or any other disorderly conduct, intentionally cause the substantial disruption
of any lawful mission, process or function of the school, engage in any
such conduct for the purpose of causing the substantial disruption or obstruction
of any such lawful mission, process or function, or pose a substantial
threat to the health, safety and/or welfare of students, staff or others;
i. refuse to identify himself/herself upon request of any teacher, principal,
Superintendent, school bus driver or other authorized school personnel;
j. threaten to plant a bomb or falsely inform others that a bomb or other
explosive has been planted (a) on school grounds; (b) off school grounds
at a school function, activity or event; or (c) on any school vehicle or
other school property; or k. urge, encourage or counsel other students
to violate any of the preceding paragraphs of this rule.
Rule 2. Damage, Alteration, or Theft of School Property
A student shall not cause or attempt to cause damage to school
property; alter or attempt to alter school property; set fire to or attempt
to set fire to school property; steal or attempt to steal school property;
or possess or distribute school property without appropriate school/school
system authorization.
Rule 3. Damage, Alteration, or Theft of Private Property
A student shall not cause or attempt to cause damage to private
property; alter or attempt to alter private property; set fire to or
attempt to set fire to private property; steal or attempt to steal private
property or possess or distribute private property without appropriate
authorization: (a) on the school grounds at any time; (b) off the school
grounds at a school activity, function or event; or (c) under the jurisdiction
of school district transportation.
Rule 4. (Physical or Verbal) Assault or Battery or Abusive Language to
a School Employee
A student shall not (i) intentionally make physical contact
which causes physical harm to a school employee unless such physical harm
was in defense of himself or herself; (ii) intentionally make physical
contact of an insulting or provoking nature with a school employee; (iii)attempt
to cause physical injury, threaten bodily harm, or behave in such a way
as could reasonably cause physical injury to a school employee; or (iv)
use in such employee's presence opprobrious or abusive words, or obscene
language, pictures or gestures tending to cause a breach of the peace:
(a) on the school grounds at any time; (b) off the school grounds at a
school-sponsored activity, function or event; or (c) en route to and from
school or school-sponsored activity.
See Rule 18, below, for specific rules relating to acts of assault or
battery while on the school bus.
Rule 5. (Physical or Verbal) Assault or Battery or Abusive Language by
a Student to any Person
A student shall not (i) intentionally make physical contact
which causes physical harm to another person; (ii)intentionally make physical
contact of an insulting or provoking nature with another person; (iii)attempt
to cause physical injury, threaten bodily harm, or behave in such a way
as could reasonably cause physical injury to any person; or (iv) use opprobrious
or abusive words, or obscene language, pictures or gestures tending to
cause a breach of the peace: (a) on the school grounds at any time; (b)
off the school grounds at a school activity, function or event; or (c)
en route to and from school or school-sponsored activity.
At the discretion of the local school administration, the student and
the parent may be offered the opportunity to attend a violence prevention
program in lieu of a portion of any suspension period.
See Rule 18, below, for specific rules relating to acts of assault or
battery while on the school bus.
Rule 6. Harassment or and Acts of Bigotry
A student shall not insult, intimidate, or harass any person
by committing any act of bigotry (directed toward another person's race,
ethnic heritage, national origin, religion, age, sex, or disability)
that, under the circumstances, would tend to cause substantial disruption
of the educational setting or school activity. Prohibited acts of bigotry
include verbal harassment, such as racial, sexual, or ethnic slurs, derogatory
comments, insults, and jokes; physical harassment, such as offensive
touching; and visual harassment, such as racially, sexually, or ethnically
offensive posters, graffiti, drawings, clothing, or gestures that, under
the circumstances, would tend to cause substantial disruption of the
educational setting or school activity. Such acts of bigotry and harassment
are prohibited: (a) on the school grounds at any time; (b) off the school
grounds at a school activity, function, or event; or (c) en route to
and from school or a school-sponsored activity.
Rule 7. Sexual Harassment
A student shall not harass another person through unwelcome
conduct or communication of a sexual nature. Prohibited acts of sexual
harassment include verbal harassment, such as sexual jokes or comments
about an individual or his/her physical characteristics; physical harassment
such as unwanted touching; visual harassment such as the display of sexually
suggestive objects or pictures; or requests or demands for sexual involvement,
accompanied by implied or explicit threats: (a) on the school grounds
at any time; (b) off the school grounds at a school activity, function,
or event; or (c) en route to and from school or school-sponsored activity.
Rule 8. Weapons and Dangerous Instruments
A student shall not possess, display, transmit or threateningly
use a knife, razor, razor blade, ice pick, explosive, machete,
brass knuckles, pistol, rifle, shotgun, BB/pellet gun, stun-gun,
incendiary device, self-defense sprays such as mace or pepper
gas, or other object
that reasonably can be considered a weapon: (a) on the school
grounds at any time; (b) off the school grounds at a school
activity, function
or event; or (c) en route to and from school or school-sponsored
activity. (See also Part II, Procedural Rule 8.)
Rule 9. Alcohol and Other Drugs/Psychoactive Substances
Use of illicit
drugs and the unlawful possession and use of alcohol is illegal, wrong
and harmful; therefore, a student shall not possess, sell,
attempt to sell or transmit any narcotic, hallucinogen, amphetamine,
barbiturate, marijuana, drug analog or designer drug, alcoholic beverage,
prescription
drug, steroid, illegal drug, drug paraphernalia or psychoactive
substance of any kind or abuse any substance that may have a mind-altering
or intoxicating
effect: (a) on the school grounds at any time; (b) off the
school grounds at a school activity, function or event; or (c) en route
to and from school
or school-sponsored activities. A student shall not possess,
sell, attempt to sell or transmit any substance under the pretense that
it is, in fact,
a narcotic, hallucinogen, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana,
drug analog, alcoholic beverage or psychoactive substance of any kind.
Personal use
of a drug authorized by a medical prescription or directive
from a licensed physician by the patient for whom it was prescribed shall
not be considered
a violation of this rule. Appropriate use or simple possession
of personal hygiene products or other household products that have a regular
school
use shall not be considered a violation of this rule. However,
use or distribution for use of any such substances for intoxicating or
mind-altering purposes
will constitute a violation of this rule. First offenders for
possession or use only must be offered the opportunity to attend an approved
substance
prevention education program in lieu of a portion of the suspension
period.
Rule 10. Disregard of School Rules; State, Federal and/or Local
Laws; Directions or Commands
A student shall not fail to comply with school rules; state,
federal and/or local laws; or reasonable directions or commands of teachers,
student teachers, substitute teachers, school assistants, administrators,
school bus drivers or other authorized school personnel or engage in willful
and persistent violations of the student code of conduct when: (a) on the
school grounds at any time; (b) off the school grounds at a school activity,
function or event; or (c) en route to and from school or school-sponsored
activity.
Rule 11. Unexcused Absences
A student shall not be tardy or absent from a school in which
he/she is enrolled without bringing a satisfactory excuse signed by his/her
parent or guardian within three days giving the reason for the absence
or tardiness (see Policy/Procedure JBD). A student shall not be absent
from any class or other required school function during required school
hours except with written permission of the teacher, principal or other
duly authorized school official. A student shall not leave the school
campus or other required school functions during required school hours
without permission of the school administration. No student shall encourage,
urge or counsel other students to violate this rule.
It should be noted that OCGA § 20-2-690.1 states that any
parent, guardian, or other person residing in this state who has control
or charge
of a child or children that accrues five unexcused absences
during one school year will be deemed to have violated this Code section
and shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to fines, imprisonment,
community services, or any combination of these penalties.
Rule 12. Dress and Grooming
Students in the school system are expected to dress and groom
themselves in such a way as to reflect neatness, cleanliness
and safety. All students shall dress appropriately so as
not to disrupt or interfere
with the educational program or the orderly operation of
the school. Extremes in dress and grooming will not be permitted.
Examples are: lack
of cleanliness in person or dress; shoeless; "short-short" clothing;
bare midriffs; "tank tops"; "see-through" clothing
or apparel which designates gangs or similar organizations
or any dress that is disruptive to the educational process.
Designated dress involving
school activities approved by the principal shall be acceptable.
The principal or other duly authorized school official shall
determine whether
any particular mode of dress or grooming results in a violation
of the spirit and/or the intent of this rule.
Rule 13. Tobacco Use
A student shall not possess, use, handle or transmit cigarettes,
lighters, matches, or related tobacco products of any kind, including
cigarette wrapping paper or containers for such products: (a) on the
school grounds at any time; (b) off the school grounds at a school activity,
function or event; or (c) under the jurisdiction of school district transportation.
First offenders will be required to attend a tobacco use program provided
by the local school in addition to any other disciplinary action deemed
appropriate.
Rule 14. Gambling
A student shall not gamble or solicit others to gamble: (a)
on the school grounds at any time; (b) off the school grounds at a school
activity, function or event; or (c) under the jurisdiction of school
district transportation. Gambling includes betting on any game or event,
shooting dice, matching or other games of chance for money and/or things
of value.
Participating in a raffle or bingo game sponsored by a school-related
support group such as a PTA or booster club will not violate this rule
when the student is accompanied by his or her parent or guardian or by
another parent who has permission in writing from the student’s parent
or guardian to supervise that student at the fund raiser.
Rule 15. Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Offenses
A student shall not perform an act of lewd exposure or lewd
caress or indecent fondling/touching of the student’s own body or the
body of another person, or any act of sexual intercourse: (a)on the school
grounds at any time; (b off the school grounds at a school activity,
function or event; or (c) under the jurisdiction of school district transportation.
Rule 16. Bullying
A student shall not willfully attempt or threaten to inflict
injury on another person, when accompanied by an apparent present ability
to do so or shall not intentionally exhibit a display of force such as
would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm:
(a) on the school grounds at any time; (b) off the school grounds at
a school activity, function or event; or (c) en route to and from school
or school-sponsored activities.
Except as otherwise required by law, any student in grades
six through 12 who commits the offense of bullying for the
third time during a school year shall be assigned to an alternative
school program in addition to any other disciplinary action
deemed appropriate. For students in grades K through five,
disciplinary action should be taken as deemed appropriate.
See Rule 18, below, for specific rules relating to acts of bullying while
on the school bus.
Rule 17. Disrespectful Conduct Toward Employees, Students and/or Others
A student shall not exhibit disrespectful, rude or discourteous
behavior or language toward an employee, student or other person: (a)
on the school grounds at any time; (b) off the school grounds at a school
activity, function or event; or (c) under the jurisdiction of school
system transportation.
Rule 18. School Bus Disciplinary Rules
a. Students shall be prohibited from using items during the operation
of a school bus in a manner which might interfere with the school bus communications
equipment or the school bus driver's operation of the bus. These items
include but are not limited to cell phones; pagers; audible radios; tape
or compact disc players without head-phones; mirrors; lasers, or flash
cameras.
b. If a student is found to have engaged in bullying or in physical assault
or battery of another person on the school bus, a meeting shall be scheduled
involving the parent or guardian of the student and appropriate school
district officials to form a school bus behavior contract for the student.
Such contract shall provide for progressive age-appropriate discipline,
penalties, and restrictions for student misconduct on the bus. Contract
provisions may include but shall not be limited to assigned seating, ongoing
parental involvement, and suspension from riding the bus. This paragraph
does not in any way limit or restrict the school system's ability to take
additional action, including imposing disciplinary sanctions through and
including permanent expulsion from the school system, as a result of the
student's behavior.
See "Bus Conduct Disciplinary Procedures" in the Code of Conduct
and Discipline Handbook.
Rule 19. Off-Campus Misconduct
Students shall be disciplined for engaging in off-campus conduct
that affects the safety and welfare of the school, staff, and/or students
or
that has a direct effect on the discipline or educational environment
of the school. Off-campus misconduct for which a student shall be disciplined
includes, but is not limited to, any off-campus conduct that
1) is prohibited
by the Georgia or United States criminal codes; 2) is punishable
as a felony or would be punishable as a felony if committed by an adult;
and 3) is
conduct for which a student has been arrested, indicted, adjudicated
to have committed, or convicted. [OCGA § 20-2-751.5(c)]
Rule 20. Encouraging Violations of Code of Conduct
Students shall not incite, urge, encourage, advise, or counsel
other students to violate any Rule of this Code of Conduct. [OCGA § 20-2-751.5(a)(11).]
