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    Text version of the Disciplinary Procedures & Responsibilities

    Disciplinary Procedures and Responsibilities

    Level I

    Minor misbehavior on the part of the student which impedes orderly classroom procedure or interferes with the orderly operation of the school. These misbehaviors can usually be handled by an individual staff member but sometimes require the intervention of other school support personnel.

    Examples

    • Classroom or in-school disturbance
    • Cutting classes (first instances)
    • Inappropriate attire
    • Inappropriate displays of affection
    • Disrespectful language or gestures
    • Cheating and lying
    • Bus disturbance
    • Non-defiant failure to complete assignments or carry out directions
    • Tardiness
    • Lack of respect
    • Unreasonable noise
    • Cafeteria misbehavior
    • Misbehavior on school property
    • Abusive language
    • Abuse of school or personal property and equipment
    • Bullying

    Procedures

    • Immediate intervention is required by the staff member who is supervising the student or who observes the misbehavior.
    • Repeated misbehavior requires a parent/teacher conference; conference with the counselor and/or administrator.
    • A proper and accurate record of the offenses and disciplinary action is maintained by staff member. 

    Disciplinary Responses

    • Verbal reprimand
    • Special assignment
    • Behavior contract
    • Parent conference (person or phone)
    • Withdrawal of privileges
    • Strict supervised study
    • After-school detention
    • Referral to office 

    Level II

    Frequent or serious misbehavior that tends to disrupt the learning climate of the school. These infractions, which usually result from the continuation of Level I behaviors, require the intervention of personnel on the administrative level because the execution of Level I disciplinary options has failed to correct the situation. Also included in this level are misbehaviors which do not represent a direct threat to the health and safety of others but whose educational consequences are serious enough to require corrective action on the part of the administrative personnel.

    Examples

    • Continuation of unmodified Level I misbehavior
    • Disruptive classroom behavior
    • Insubordination
    • Truancy
    • Repeated tardiness
    • Smoking and vaping
    • Using forged noted or excuses
    • Cutting classes (repeated instances)
    • Failure to serve detention assignments
    • Gambling
    • Bullying

    Procedures

    • The student is referred to the administrator of appropriate disciplinary action.
    • The administrator meets with the student and/or teacher and decides the most appropriate response.
    • The teacher is informed of the administrator’s action.
    • A proper and accurate record of the offense and the disciplinary action is maintained by the administrator.
    • A parental conference is held as a result of suspension. 

    Disciplinary Responses

    • Social probation
    • Behavioral contract
    • In-school suspension
    • Teacher/schedule change
    • Referral to outside agency
    • Referral for evaluation
    • Parent-teacher/parent-administrator conference
    • Suspension (up to 5 days)
    • After School detention
    • Saturday Suspension

    Level III

    Acts directed against persons or property but whose consequences do not seriously endanger the health or safety of others in the school. These acts which might be considered criminal (or illegal) but most frequently can be handled by the disciplinary mechanism in the school. Corrective measures which the school should undertake, however, depend on the extent of the school’s resources for remediating the situation in the best interest of all students. Those acts which are criminal (or illegal) will automatically be referred to the appropriate law enforcement office. 

    Examples

    • Leaving school without authority
    • Fighting (simple)
    • Stealing
    • Vandalism (minor)
    • Throwing rocks or other harmful objects
    • Reckless driving on school property
    • Threats to others
    • Continuation of unmodified Level I and II misbehavior
    • Setting off firecrackers
    • Use of obscene language or gestures
    • Violation of controlled substances policy
    • Repeated Bullying behavior

    Procedures

    • The administrator indicates disciplinary action by investigating the infraction and conferring with staff on the extent of the consequences.
    • The administrator meets with the student and confers with the parent about the student’s misconduct and the resulting disciplinary action.
    • A proper and accurate record of offenses and disciplinary action is maintained by the administrator.

    Disciplinary Responses

    • Temporary removal from class
    • Temporary or full suspension
    • Alternative program
    • Parent conference and/or hearing
    • Referral for psychological evaluation
    • Charges under Pennsylvania Criminal Code
    • Restitution of property and damages
    • Saturday Suspension
    • SAP referral

    Level IV

    Acts which result in violence to another’s person or property, or which pose a direct threat to the safety of others in the school. These acts are clearly criminal and are so serious that they always require administrative actions which result in the immediate removal of the students from school, the intervention of law enforcement authorities, and action by the Board of School Directors.

    Examples

    • Continuation of unmodified Level I, II, and III misbehavior
    • Vandalism (major)
    • Arson
    • Theft, possession, or sale of stolen property
    • Deliberately striking a staff member
    • Furnishing or selling of drugs and alcohol
    • Fighting (assault/battery)
    • Extortion
    • Bomb threat or false alarm
    • Possession, use or transfer of a weapon 

    Procedures

    • The administrator verifies the offense, confers with the staff involved and meets with the student.
    • The student is immediately removed from the school environment. Parents are notified.
    • School officials contact law enforcement agency and assist in prosecuting offender.
    • A complete and accurate report is submitted to the superintendent by Board action.

    Disciplinary Responses

    • All verified offenses in Level IV will have a mandatory suspension for up to 10 days with an informal hearing.
    • Charges under Pennsylvania Civil Criminal Code or referral to appropriate law enforcement agencies.
    • Referral for SAP referral psychological treatment
    • Expulsion
    • Other Board action which results in appropriate placement
    • Alternative school
    • Parent hearing
    • Restitution of property and damages