Davenport Community Schools
Proactive Disciplinary Position K-12
DRUGS AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AND INHALANTS
The Davenport Community School District will not tolerate the possession, distribution, sale, or use of drugs or drug paraphernalia, or inhalants on school grounds. This would include alcohol and look-alikes.
In all cases of possession or use, the student will be removed from school. In first offense cases the student will be suspended, but, may have the suspension reduced with proof he/she has enrolled in CADS or a comparable agency at the family’s expense. In the event of a second offense of possession or use, the student will receive up to 9 (nine) day out-of-school suspension and be referred to the Administrative Service Center for an Administrative Council Hearing where a recommendation for expulsion* could be made.
In cases of sale or distribution, the student will be suspended up to 9 (nine) days and referred to the Administrative Service Center for an Administrative Council Hearing where a recommendation for expulsion* could be made.
WEAPONS
The Davenport Board of Education intends to provide a safe environment in which students and staff can learn and work. The possession of any item designed to harm people, such as guns, knives, brass knuckles, martial arts weapons, chains, laser pointer, etc., is prohibited. Look-a-like items such as play toy guns, pellet guns, homemade knives and weapons, projectile objects, slingshots, etc. are also prohibited. Any student in possession of any of these items on school grounds will receive an out-of-school suspension and be referred to the appropriate ASC administrator for a Disciplinary Hearing or Administrative Council Hearing where a recommendation for expulsion* could be made. A report will also be filed with the appropriate law enforcement agency.
GANG ACTIVITIES
Gang-related activities growing out of the display of “colors”, symbols, signals, signs, etc., will not be tolerated on school grounds. Students in violation will receive an out-of-school suspension and may be referred to the appropriate ASC administrator for a Disciplinary Hearing or Administrative Council Hearing where a recommendation for expulsion* could be made.
ASSAULT AND ASSAULT AND BATTERY
(Verbal) assault on school employees or on the part of one student to another may result in an out-of-school suspension with possible referral to the appropriate ASC administrator for a Disciplinary Hearing or Administrative Council Hearing where a recommendation for expulsion* could be made depending upon the severity and circumstances of the act. Assault and Battery on school employee(s) or on the part of one student to another student will be dealt with firmly. Students engaging in this type of behavior will be subject to the discipline code of the school district, which will include an out-of-school suspension and a referral to the appropriate ASC administrator for a Disciplinary Hearing or Administrative Council Hearing where a recommendation for expulsion* could be made.….depending upon the severity and circumstances of the act.
FIGHTING…. is considered a severe breach of school discipline. All students willingly participating in a physical confrontation (fighting) may receive an out-of-school suspension. In addition, there could possibly be a referral to the appropriate ASC administrator for a Disciplinary Hearing or Administrative Council Hearing where a recommendation for expulsion* could be made.
CHRONIC BREACHES OF THE DISCIPLINE POLICY
Repeatedly violating rules of the school that are necessary in carrying out the school’s purpose or an educational function is considered a serious breach of discipline. Any student engaging in this type of behavior will receive an out-of-school suspension with possible referral to the appropriate ASC administrator for a Disciplinary Hearing or Administrative Council Hearing where a recommendation for expulsion* could be made.
BULLYING BEHAVIOR
As we begin a new school year, the District’s Board of Education and Superintendent wish to remind District students, parents/guardians, staff, and volunteers that harassment and bullying of students is against the law and District policy. The District will not tolerate harassment or bullying of students based on the student’s actual or perceived traits or characteristics, including age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, familial status, or any other trait or characteristic protected by law.
Any student who believes he or she has been subject to harassment, bullying or a hostile environment based on one or more of the characteristics noted above— whether such harassment, bullying or hostile environment is created by a fellow student, school employee, parent/guardian, or volunteer—is encouraged to report the conduct to school personnel and or Dr. Erica Goldstone, Director of Equity and Student Support at 563-336-3805. The District has a policy in place (Board Policy 504.10) to address complaints regarding harassment, bullying, and hostile environment, and is committed to conducting a prompt investigation into any complaints it receives. Students engaging in bullying behavior may receive consequences including but not limited to; counseling, a safety plan, or an out-of-school suspension with possible referral to the appropriate ASC administrator for a possible Disciplinary Hearing or Administrative Council Hearing. Please see Board Policy 504.01 for the District’s complete Anti-Bullying/Anti-Harassment Policy for its students on the district website. The District asks that everyone—students, parents, staff, volunteers, and others in the District community—work together to prevent acts of bullying or harassment of any kind.
Davenport Schools has an anti-bullying policy and procedures to show to all children, parents/guardians, and staff that bullying, either physical or verbal, is not tolerated in school. According to Iowa Code section 280.28 “harassment” and “bullying” shall be construed to mean any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward a student which is based on any actual or perceived trait or characteristic of the student AND which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions: 1)places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property; 2) has a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health; 3) Has the effect of substantially interfering with the students’ academic performance; 4) Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school. Bullying need not necessarily be direct but may take a less visible and indirect form such as social isolation and exclusion from the group. Bullying knows no boundaries of age, gender, race, disability, or ethnic background.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Federal guidelines describe sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature where: a) submission to such
conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person’s educational development, or b) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for an educational decision affecting such individual; or c) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment. Any student engaging in this type of behavior will receive an out-of-school suspension with possible referral to the appropriate ASC administrator for a Disciplinary Hearing or Administrative Council where a recommendation for expulsion* could be made.
The District will not tolerate harassing, intimidating conduct, or bullying whether verbal, physical, or visual that affects the tangible benefits of education, that unreasonably interferes with a student’s educational performance, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Examples of prohibited conduct include name-calling, using derogatory slurs, causing psychological harm, threatening or causing physical harm, or wearing or possessing items depicting or implying hatred or prejudice. Please see Board Policy 504.07
Students who believe they have been the subject of harassment or have witnessed harassment are encouraged to discuss the matter with the Building Principal; Assistant Building Principal; or Dr. Erica Goldstone, Director of Equity & Student support, 1606 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803 or by phone at 563-336-3805 for appropriate action. Complaints forms can be obtained at any school or at the Achievement Service Center (ASC) or at www.davenportschools.org. Complaints will be kept confidential to the extent possible given the need to investigate. An investigation of the complaint will be undertaken promptly.
Law enforcement officers may be involved and/or charges may be filed after a thorough investigation on any of the above.
Only the Board of Education has the authority to expel a student…..The term “expulsion” is in
reference to regular education students only. When a special needs student is referred to the Board
because of a major breach of discipline, the term “exclusion” is used…..our district is required to
provide some type of alternative educational services for students falling into the special needs category
The information shared in this document supersedes any information previously published
and/or distributed by the Davenport Community School District.
