The district is committed to providing an orderly, respectful environment that is conducive to learning. To create and maintain this kind of an environment, it is necessary to regulate public conduct on school property and at school functions. For purposes of this section of the code, “public” shall mean all persons when on school property or attending a school function including students, teachers, and district personnel. The restrictions on public conduct on school property and at school functions contained in this code are not intended to limit freedom of speech or peaceful assembly. The district recognizes that free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the objectives of the district. The purpose of this code is to maintain public order and prevent abuse of the rights of others.

All persons on school property or attending a school function shall conduct themselves in a respectful and orderly manner. In addition, all persons on school property or attending a school function are expected to be properly attired for the purpose they are on school property.

Prohibited Conduct

No person, either alone or with others, shall:

• Intentionally injure any person or threaten to do so
• Intentionally damage or destroy school district property or the personal property of a teacher, administrator, other district employee, or any person lawfully on school property, including graffiti or arson
• Disrupt the orderly conduct of classes, school programs or other school activities or deliberately interfere with the freedom of any person to express his/her views, including invited speakers
• Distribute or wear materials on school grounds or at school functions that are obscene, advocate illegal action, appear libelous, obstruct the rights of others, or are disruptive to the school program
• Intimidate, harass, or discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability
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• Enter any portion of the school premises without authorization or remain in any building or facility after it is normally closed
• Obstruct the free movement of any person in any place to which this code applies
• Violate the traffic laws, parking regulations or other restrictions on vehicles
• Possess, consume, sell, distribute, or exchange alcoholic beverages, marijuana, DAB pens, controlled substances, e-cigarettes/vape devices, or be under the influence of either on- school property or at a school function
• Possess or use weapons in or on school property, or at a school function, except in the case of law enforcement officers or except as specifically authorized by the school district
• Loiter on or about school property
• Gamble on school property or at school functions
• Refuse to comply with any reasonable order of identifiable school district officials performing their duties
• Willfully incite others to commit any of the acts prohibited by this code
• Violate any federal or state statute, local ordinance, or board policy while on school property or while at a school function
• Physically restrain or detain any other person, nor remove such person from any place where he/she is authorized to remain
• Engage in picketing and/or demonstrating which obstructs entrances to building or buildings or the normal flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic or prevents entry; which interferes with organized meetings or other assemblies for the purpose of harassment; which obstructs or physically interferes with the integrity of the classroom, the privacy of administrative offices, or the functioning of the physical plant
• Domesticated animals are prohibited on school property unless approved by school administration

Penalties (subject to provisions of applicable law)

Persons who violate this code shall be subject to the following penalties:

• Visitors: Their authorization, if any, to remain on school grounds or at the school function shall be withdrawn and they shall be directed to leave the premises. If they refuse to leave, they shall be subject to ejection. Visitors may also be subject to suspension from school property depending on the severity of the infraction.
• Students: They shall be subject to disciplinary action as the facts may warrant, in accordance with the due process requirements.
• Tenured faculty members: They shall be subject to disciplinary action as the facts may warrant in accordance with Education Law §3020-a or any other legal rights that they may have.
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• Staff members in the classified service of the civil service entitled to the protection of Civil Service Law §75: They shall be subject to immediate ejection and to disciplinary action as the facts may warrant in accordance with Civil Service Law §75 or any other legal rights that they may have.
• Staff members other than those described in subdivisions 4 and 5: They shall be subject to warning, reprimand, suspension, or dismissal as the facts may warrant in accordance with any legal rights they may have.

Enforcement

The building principal or his or her designee shall be responsible for enforcing the conduct required by this code.

When the building principal or his or her designee sees an individual engaged in prohibited conduct, which in his or her judgment does not pose any immediate threat of injury to persons or property, the principal, or his or her designee shall tell the individual that the conduct is prohibited and attempt to persuade the individual to stop. The principal or his or her designee shall also warn the individual of the consequences for failing to stop. If the person refuses to stop engaging in the prohibited conduct, or if the person’s conduct poses an immediate threat of injury to persons or property, the principal or his or her designee shall have the individual removed immediately from school property or the school function. If necessary, local law enforcement authorities will be contacted to assist in removing the person.

The district shall initiate disciplinary action against any student or staff member, as appropriate, with the “Penalties” section above. In addition, the district reserves its right to pursue a civil or criminal legal action against any person violating the code.