Student Code of Conduct 2022-2023

POLARIS CAREER CENTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT A major component of the educational program Polaris Career Center is to prepare students to become responsible citizens by learning how to conduct themselves properly and in accordance with established standards. Students are expected to behave in accordance with Federal, State and local laws and rules, and Board policies and Administrative Guidelines and in a way that respects the rights and safety of others. Staff will take corrective action to discipline a student and/or to modify the student's behavior when a student's behavior does not fall within these parameters.

School staff may report suspected criminal misconduct by a student to law enforcement. Law enforcement officers will be permitted to carry out necessary law enforcement functions in the schools, including the removal of a student from school grounds in appropriate circumstances.

Expected Behaviors Students are expected to: A. Act courteously to adults and fellow students.

B. Be prompt to school and attentive in class.

C. Work cooperatively with others when involved in accomplishing a common goal regardless of the other’s ability, gender, race, or ethnic background; D. Complete assigned tasks on time and as directed; E. Help maintain a school environment that is safe, friendly, and productive; F. Act at all times in a manner that reflects pride in self, family, and in the School.

Classroom Environment It is the responsibility of students, teachers, and administrators to maintain a classroom environment that allows: A. A teacher to communicate effectively with all students in the class; and B. All students in the class the opportunity to learn.

Dress and Grooming Students are expected to always dress appropriately. Any fashion (dress, accessory, or hairstyle) that disrupts the educational process or presents a safety risk will not be permitted.

A dress code or a uniform may be required for appearance, safety factors and as a necessity to protect clothing. Clothing that is excessively tight, short, or revealing is inappropriate. This includes extremely short shorts and skirts, tank tops, or clothing 1

that reveals the midriff. Students must wear shoes. Clothing or attire that can be construed as gang-related is not permitted.

Any apparel or accessory that graphically or symbolically is vulgar, offensive, obscene, or libelous or promotes sex, violence, tobacco, drugs, or alcohol is unacceptable and will not be permitted. In addition, chains, spikes, or any other item that may be construed by a school official as a safety hazard will not be permitted.

Program uniforms must be worn at all times while in class. Students are not permitted to wear jackets or non-uniform sweatshirts during the school day.

Personal protective equipment including safety glasses, ear protection, hard hats, work boots and other items must be worn as directed by the instructor.

Students who are representing Polaris Career Center at an official function or public event may be required to follow specific dress requirements.

Gangs Gangs that initiate, advocate, or promote activities that threaten the safety or well-being of persons or that are disruptive to the school environment will not be tolerated.

Incidents involving initiations, hazing, intimidations, or related activities that are likely to cause harm or personal degradation are prohibited.

Students wearing, carrying, or displaying gang paraphernalia or exhibiting behaviors or gestures that symbolize gang membership or causing and/or participating in activities that are designed to intimidate another student will be disciplined.

Prohibited gang paraphernalia will be specifically identified and posted by the administrator.

Care of Property Students are responsible for the care of their own personal property. The School is not responsible for personal property. Valuables such as jewelry or irreplaceable items should not be brought to school.

Damage to or loss of school equipment and facilities wastes taxpayers’ money and undermines the school program. Therefore, if a student damages or loses school property, the student and/or his/her parents/guardians will be required to pay for the replacement or repair. If the damage or loss was intentional, the student will be subject to discipline according to the Student Discipline Code.

BULLYING, HARASSMENT, AND INTIMIDATION 5517.01 - BULLYING AND OTHER FORMS OF AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR The Board of Education is committed to providing a safe, positive, productive, and nurturing educational environment for all of its students. The Board encourages the promotion of positive interpersonal relations between members of the school community.

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying toward a student, whether by other students, staff, or third parties is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition includes aggressive behavior, physical, verbal, and psychological abuse, and violence 2

within a dating relationship. The Board will not tolerate any gestures, comments, threats, or actions which cause or threaten to cause bodily harm or personal degradation. This policy applies to all activities in the District, including activities on school property, on a school bus, or while in route to or from school, and those occurring off school property if the student or employee is at any school-sponsored, school-approved or school-related activity or function, such as field trips or athletic events where students are under the school's control, in a school vehicle, or where an employee is engaged in school business.

This policy has been developed in consultation with parents, District employees, volunteers, students, and community members as prescribed in R.C. 3313.666 and the State Board of Education's Model Policy.

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying means: A. Any intentional written, verbal, electronic, or physical act that a student or group of students exhibits toward another particular student(s) more than once and the behavior both causes mental or physical harm to the other student(s) and is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the other student(s); or B. Violence within a dating relationship "Electronic act" means an act committed through the use of a cellular telephone, computer, pager, personal communication device, or other electronic communication device.

Aggressive behavior is defined as inappropriate conduct that is repeated enough, or serious enough, to negatively impact a student's educational, physical, or emotional well-being. This type of behavior is a form of intimidation and harassment, although it need not be based on any of the legally protected characteristics, such as sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, or disability. It would include, but not be limited to, such behaviors as stalking, bullying/cyberbullying, intimidating, menacing, coercion, name calling, taunting, making threats, and hazing.

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying also means cyberbullying through electronically transmitted acts (i.e., internet, e-mail, cellular telephone, personal digital assistance (PDA), or wireless hand-held device) that a student(s) or a group of students exhibits toward another particular student(s) more than once and the behavior both causes mental and physical harm to the other student and is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the other student(s).

Any student or student's parent/guardian who believes s/he has been or is the victim of aggressive behavior should immediately report the situation to the building administration or the Superintendent. The student may also report concerns to teachers and other school staff who will be responsible for notifying the appropriate administrator or Board official. Complaints against the administration should be filed with the Superintendent. Complaints against the Superintendent should be filed with the Board President.

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Every student is encouraged, and every staff member is required, to report any situation that they believe to be aggressive behavior directed toward a student.

Reports may be made to those identified above.

All complaints about aggressive behavior that may violate this policy shall be promptly investigated. The administration shall prepare a written report of the investigation upon completion. Such report shall include findings of fact, a determination of whether acts of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying were verified, and, when prohibited acts are verified, a recommendation for intervention, including disciplinary action shall be included in the report. Where appropriate, written witness statements shall be attached to the report.

If the investigation finds an instance of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying/cyberbullying by an electronic act or otherwise, has occurred, it will result in prompt and appropriate remedial and/or disciplinary action. This may include suspension or up to expulsion for students, up to discharge for employees, exclusion for parents, guests, volunteers, and contractors, and removal from any official position and/or a request to resign for Board members. Individuals may also be referred to law enforcement officials.

If, during an investigation of a reported act of harassment, intimidation and/or bullying/cyberbullying, the administration believes that the reported misconduct may have created a hostile learning environment and may have constituted unlawful discriminatory harassment based on a Protected Class, the administrator will report the act of bullying and/or harassment to one of the Anti-Harassment Compliance Officers so that it may be investigated in accordance with the procedures set forth in Policy 5517 - Anti-Harassment.

Retaliation against any person who reports, is thought to have reported, files a complaint, or otherwise participates in an investigation or inquiry concerning allegations of aggressive behavior is prohibited and will not be tolerated. Such retaliation shall be considered a serious violation of Board policy and independent of whether a complaint is substantiated. Suspected retaliation should be reported in the same manner as aggressive behavior. Retaliation may result in disciplinary action as indicated above.

Deliberately making false reports about harassment, intimidation, bullying and/or other aggressive behavior for the purpose of getting someone in trouble is similarly prohibited and will not be tolerated. Deliberately making false reports may result in disciplinary action as indicated above.

If a student or other individual believes there has been aggressive behavior, regardless of whether it fits a particular definition, s/he should report it and allow the administration to determine the appropriate course of action.

The District shall implement intervention strategies (AG 5517.01) to protect a victim or other person from new or additional harassment, intimidation, or bullying and from retaliation following such a report.

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This policy shall not be interpreted to infringe upon the First Amendment rights of students (i.e., to prohibit a reasoned and civil exchange of opinions, or debate, that is conducted at appropriate times and places during the school day and is protected

by State or Federal law).

The complainant shall be notified of the findings of the investigation, and as appropriate, that remedial action has been taken. If after investigation, acts of bullying against a specific student are verified, the administrator shall notify the custodial parent/guardian of the victim of such finding. In providing such notification care shall be taken to respect the statutory privacy rights of the perpetrator of such harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying.

If after investigation, acts of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying by a specific student are verified, the administrator shall notify in writing the custodial parent/guardian of the perpetrator of that finding. If disciplinary consequences are imposed against such student, a description of such discipline shall be included in the notification.

Complaints Students and/or their parents/guardians may file reports regarding suspected harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Such reports shall be reasonably specific including person(s) involved, number of times and places of the alleged conduct, the target of suspected harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying, and the names of any potential student or staff witnesses. Such reports may be filed with any school staff member or administrator for review, investigation, and action.

Students, parents/guardians, and school personnel may make informal or anonymous complaints of conduct that they consider to be harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying by verbal report to a teacher, school administrator, or other school personnel. Such complaints shall be reasonably specific including person(s) involved, number of times and places of the alleged conduct, the target of suspected harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying, and the names of any potential student or staff witnesses. A school staff member or administrator who receives an informal or anonymous complaint shall promptly document the complaint in writing, including the information provided. This written report shall be promptly forwarded by the school staff member and/or administration for review, investigation, and appropriate action.

Individuals who make informal complaints as provided above may request that their name be maintained in confidence by the school staff member(s) and administrator(s) who receive the complaint. Anonymous complaints shall be reviewed, and reasonable action shall be taken to address the situation, to the extent such action may be taken that (1) does not disclose the source of the complaint, and (2) is consistent with the due process rights of the student(s) alleged to have committed acts of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying.

When an individual making an informal complaint has requested anonymity, the investigation of such complaint shall be limited as is appropriate in view of the anonymity of the complaint. Such limitation of investigation may include restricting action to a simple review of the complaint subject to receipt of further information 5

and/or the withdrawal by the complaining student of the condition that his/her report be anonymous.

Privacy/Confidentiality The School District will respect the privacy of the complainant, the individual(s) against whom the complaint is filed, and the witnesses as much as possible, consistent with the Board's legal obligations to investigate, to take appropriate action, and to conform with any discovery or disclosure obligations. All records generated under this policy and its related administrative guidelines shall be maintained as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

Reporting Requirement At least semi-annually, the Superintendent shall provide to the President of the Board a written summary of all reported incidents and post the summary on the District web site (if one exists). The list shall be limited to the number of verified acts of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying, whether in the classroom, on school property, to and from school, or at school-sponsored events.

Allegations of criminal misconduct and suspected child abuse will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency and/or to Child Protective Services in accordance with statute. District personnel shall cooperate with investigations by such agencies.

Immunity A School District employee, student, or volunteer shall be individually immune from liability in a civil action for damages arising from reporting an incident in accordance with this policy and R.C. 3313.666 if that person reports an incident of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying promptly, in good faith, and in compliance with the procedures specified in this policy. Such immunity from liability shall not apply to an employee, student, or volunteer determined to have made an intentionally false report about harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying.

Notification Notice of this policy will be annually circulated to and posted in conspicuous locations in all school buildings and departments within the District and discussed with students, as well as incorporated into the teacher, student, and parent/guardian handbooks. At least once each school year a written statement describing the policy and consequences for violations of the policy shall be sent to each student's custodial parent or guardian.

The statement may be sent with regular student report cards or may be delivered electronically.

The policy and an explanation of the seriousness of bullying by electronic means shall be made available to students in the District and to their custodial parents or guardians.

State and Federal rights posters on discrimination and harassment shall also be posted at each building. All new hires will be required to review and sign off on this policy and the related complaint procedures.

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Education and Training In support of this policy, the Board promotes preventative educational measures to create greater awareness of aggressive behavior, including bullying and violence within a dating relationship. The Superintendent or designee shall provide appropriate training to all members of the School District community related to the implementation of this policy and its accompanying administrative guidelines. All training regarding the Board's policy and administrative guidelines about aggressive behavior and bullying in general, will be age and content appropriate.

Annually, the District shall provide all students enrolled in the District with ageappropriate instruction regarding the Board's policy, including a written or verbal discussion of the consequences for violations of the policy, to the extent that State or Federal funds are appropriated for this purpose.

Students in grades seven (7) through twelve (12) shall receive age-appropriate instruction in dating violence prevention education, including instruction in recognizing dating violence warning signs and characteristics of healthy relationships. Parents, who submit a written request to the administrator to examine the dating violence prevention instruction materials used in the school, will be afforded an opportunity to review the materials within a reasonable period of time.

The District shall provide training, workshops, and/or courses on this policy for school employees and volunteers who have direct contact with students, to the extent that State or Federal funds are appropriated for these purposes. Time spent by school staff in these training programs shall apply toward mandated continuing education requirements.

In accordance with Board Policy 8462, the Superintendent shall include a review of this policy on bullying and other forms of harassment in the required training in the prevention of child abuse, violence, and substance abuse and the promotion of positive youth development.

The Superintendent shall develop administrative guidelines to implement this policy.

Guidelines shall include reporting and investigative procedures, as needed. The complaint procedure established by the Superintendent shall be followed.

TITLE IX SEXUAL HARASSMENT 2266 - NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES Introduction The Board of Education of the Polaris Career Center (hereinafter referred to as “the Board” or “the District”) does not discriminate on the basis of sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity), in its education programs or activities, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, and its implementing regulations, not to discriminate in such a manner. The requirement not to discriminate in its education program or activity extends to admission and employment. The Board is committed to maintaining an education and work 7

environment that is free from discrimination based on sex, including sexual harassment.

The Board prohibits Sexual Harassment that occurs within its education programs and activities. When the District has actual knowledge of Sexual Harassment in its education program or activity against a person in the United States, it shall promptly respond in a manner that is not deliberately indifferent.

Pursuant to its Title IX obligations, the Board is committed to eliminating Sexual Harassment and will take appropriate action when an individual is determined responsible for violating this policy. Board employees, students, third-party vendors and contractors, guests, and other members of the School District community who commit Sexual Harassment are subject to the full range of disciplinary sanctions set forth in this policy. The Board will provide persons who have experienced Sexual Harassment ongoing remedies as reasonably necessary to restore or preserve access to the District’s education programs and activities.

Coverage This policy applies to Sexual Harassment that occurs within the District’s education programs and activities and that is committed by a member of the School District community or a Third Party.

This policy does not apply to Sexual Harassment that occurs off school grounds, in a private setting, and outside the scope of the District’s education programs and activities; such Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Activity may be prohibited by the Student Code of Conduct if committed by a student, or by Board policies and administrative guidelines, applicable State and/or Federal laws if committed by a Board employee.

Consistent with the U.S. Department of Education’s implementing regulations for Title IX, this policy does not apply to Sexual Harassment that occurs outside the geographic boundaries of the United States, even if the Sexual Harassment occurs in the District’s education programs or activities. Sexual Harassment that occurs outside the geographic boundaries of the United States is governed by the Student Code of Conduct if committed by a student, or by Board policies and administrative guidelines, applicable State and/or Federal laws if committed by a Board employee.

Definitions Words used in this policy shall have those meanings defined herein; words not defined herein shall be construed according to their plain and ordinary meanings.

Sexual Harassment: “Sexual Harassment” means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following: A. A Board employee conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the District on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (often called “quid pro quo” harassment); B. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal 8

access to the District’s education program or activity; or C. “Sexual assault” as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)A(v), or “dating violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(10), “domestic violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(8), or “stalking” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(30).

“Sexual assault” means any sexual act directed against another person, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent, and the "nonforcible" sex offenses of Incest and Statutory Rape. Sexual assault includes rape, sodomy, sexual assault with an object, fondling, incest, and statutory rape.

1. Rape is the carnal knowledge of a person (i.e., penetration, no matter how slight, of the genital or anal opening of a person), without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of age or because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity.

2. Sodomy is oral or anal sexual intercourse with another person, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of age or because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity.

3. Sexual Assault with an Object is using an object or instrument to unlawfully penetrate, however slightly, the genital or anal opening of the body of another person, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of age or because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity. An “object” or “instrument” is anything used by the offender other than the offender’s genitalia.

4. Fondling is the touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of age or because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity.

5. Incest is nonforcible sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited

by State law.

6. Statutory Rape is nonforcible sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent as defined by State law.

7. Consent refers to words or actions that a reasonable person would understand as agreement to engage in the sexual conduct at issue. A person may be incapable of giving consent because of age or because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity. A person who is incapacitated is not capable of giving consent.

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8. Incapacitated refers to the state where a person does not understand and/or appreciate the nature or fact of sexual activity due to the effect of drugs or alcohol consumption, medical condition, disability, or due to a state of unconsciousness or sleep.

D. “Domestic violence” includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by: 1. A current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim; 2. A person with whom the victim shares a child in common; 3. A person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner; 4. A person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime occurred; or 5. Any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime occurred.

E. “Dating violence” means violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on consideration of the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

F. “Stalking” means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to – (1) fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; or (2) suffer substantial emotional distress.

Complainant: “Complainant” means an individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute Sexual Harassment.

Respondent: “Respondent” means an individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute Sexual Harassment.

Formal Complaint: “Formal Complaint” means a document filed by a Complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging Sexual Harassment against a Respondent and requesting that the District investigate the allegation(s) of Sexual Harassment. At the time of filing a Formal Complaint with the District, a Complainant must be participating in or attempting to participate in the District’s education program or activity. A “document filed by a complainant’’ means a document or electronic submission (such as by electronic mail or through an online portal that the Board provides for this purpose) that contains the Complainant’s physical or digital signature, or otherwise indicates that the Complainant is the person filing the Formal Complaint. Where the Title IX Coordinator signs a Formal Complaint, the Title IX Coordinator is not a Complainant or a party to the Formal Complaint and must not 10

have a conflict of interest or bias for or against complainants or respondents generally or an individual complainant or respondent.

Actual Knowledge: “Actual knowledge” means notice of Sexual Harassment or allegations of Sexual Harassment to the District’s Title IX Coordinator, or any District official who has authority to institute corrective measures on behalf of the Board, or any Board employee. The mere ability or obligation to report Sexual Harassment or to inform a student about how to report Sexual Harassment, or having been trained to do so, does not qualify an individual as one who has authority to institute corrective measures on behalf of the District. “Notice” includes, but is not limited to, a report of Sexual Harassment to the Title IX Coordinator. This standard is not met when the only District official with actual knowledge is the Respondent.

Supportive Measures: “Supportive measures” means non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to the Complainant or the Respondent before or after the filing of a Formal Complaint or where no Formal Complaint has been filed. Such measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to the District’s education program or activity without unreasonably burdening the other party, including measures designed to protect the safety of all parties or the District’s educational environment, or deter Sexual Harassment. Supportive measures may include counseling, extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments, modifications of work or class schedules, school/campus escort services, mutual restrictions of contact between the parties, changes in work locations), leaves of absence, increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus (including school buildings and facilities), and other similar measures.

Education Program or Activity: “Education program or activity” refers to all operations of the District, including but not limited to in-person and online educational instruction, employment, extracurricular activities, athletics, performances, and community engagement and outreach programs. The term applies to all activity that occurs on school grounds or on other property owned or occupied by the Board. It also includes locations, events and circumstances that take place off-school property/grounds over which the Board exercises substantial control over both the Respondent and the context in which the Sexual Harassment occurs.

School District Community: “School District community” refers to students and Board employees (i.e., administrators, and professional and classified staff), as well as Board members, agents, volunteers, contractors, or other persons subject to the control and supervision of the Board.

Third Parties: “Third Parties” include, but are not limited to, guests and/or visitors on School District property (e.g., visiting speakers, participants on opposing athletic teams, parents), vendors doing business with, or seeking to do business with the Board, and other individuals who come in contact with members of the School District community at school-related events/activities (whether on or off District property).

Inculpatory Evidence: “Inculpatory evidence” is evidence that tends to establish a Respondent’s responsibility for alleged Sexual Harassment.

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Exculpatory Evidence: “Exculpatory evidence” is evidence that tends to clear or excuse a Respondent from allegations of Sexual Harassment.

Day(s): Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term “day” or “days” as used in this policy means business day(s) (i.e., a day(s) that the Board office is open for normal operating hours, Monday – Friday, excluding State-recognized holidays).

Eligible Student: “Eligible Student” means a student who has reached eighteen (18) years of age or is attending an institution of postsecondary education.

Title IX Coordinator(s) The Board designates and authorizes the following individual(s) to oversee and coordinate its efforts to comply with Title IX and its implementing regulations: Michael Sheppard Assistant Superintendent 440-891-7643 7285 Old Oak Blvd.

Middleburg Hts., OH 44130 msheppard@polaris.edu Diane Xander Executive Director of Innovation and Career Development 440-891-7679 7285 Old Oak Blvd.

Middleburg Hts., OH 44130 dxander@polaris.edu The Title IX Coordinator shall report directly to the Superintendent. Questions about this policy should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator.

The Superintendent shall notify applicants for admission and employment, students, parents or legal guardians of elementary and secondary school students, Board employees, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with the Board of the following information: The Board of the Polaris Career Center does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education program or activity and is required by Title IX and its implementing regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. The requirement not to discriminate in its education program or activity extends to admission and employment. The District’s Title IX Coordinator(s) is/are: Michael Sheppard Assistant Superintendent 440-891-7643 7285 Old Oak Blvd.

Middleburg Hts., OH 44130 msheppard@polaris.edu 12

Diane Xander Executive Director of Innovation and Career Development 440-891-7679 7285 Old Oak Blvd.

Middleburg Hts., OH 44130 dxander@polaris.edu Any inquiries about the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations to the District may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator(s), the Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both.

The Board has adopted a grievance process and procedures that provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of student and employee complaints alleging any action that is prohibited by Title IX and/or its implementing regulations. The grievance process and procedures are included in Policy 2266 – Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities, which is available at: http://go.boarddocs.com/oh/polaris/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BXNPEG622CE2.

The grievance process and procedures specifically address how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of Sexual Harassment, and how the District will respond.

The Superintendent shall also prominently display the Title IX Coordinator’s(s’) contact information – including name(s) and/or title(s), phone number(s), office address(es), and e-mail address(es) – and this policy on the District’s website and in each handbook or catalog that the Board makes available to applicants for admission and employment, students, parents or legal guardians of elementary and secondary school students, Board employees, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements.

Grievance Process and Procedures The Board is committed to promptly and equitably resolving student and employee complaints alleging Sexual Harassment. The District’s response to allegations of Sexual Harassment will treat Complainants and Respondents equitably, including providing supportive measures to the Complainant and Respondent, as appropriate, and following this Grievance Process before imposition of any disciplinary sanctions or other actions, other than supportive measures, against the Respondent.

The Title IX Coordinator(s), along with any investigator(s), decision-maker(s), or any person(s) designated to facilitate an informal resolution process, shall not have a conflict of interest or bias for or against complainants or respondents generally or an individual complainant or respondent.

If a determination of responsibility for Sexual Harassment is made against the Respondent, the Board will provide remedies to the Complainant. The remedies will be designed to restore or preserve equal access to the District’s education program or activity. Potential remedies include, but are not limited to, individualized services that constitute supportive measures. Remedies may also be disciplinary or punitive in nature and may burden the Respondent.

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Report of Sexual Discrimination/Harassment Any person may report sex discrimination, including Sexual Harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or Sexual Harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the Title IX Coordinator’s(s’) contact information listed above, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s oral or written report. Reports may be made at any time (including during non-business hours), by using the telephone number(s) or electronic mail address(es), or by mail to the office address(es), listed for the Title IX Coordinator(s). Anonymous reports may be submitted using the hotline reporting number (440-891-7643).

Students, Board members, and Board employees are required, and other members of the School District community, and Third Parties) are encouraged, to report allegations of sex discrimination or Sexual Harassment promptly to the/a Title IX Coordinator or to any Board employee, who will in turn notify the/a Title IX Coordinator. Reports can be made orally or in writing and should be as specific as possible. The person making the report should, to the extent known, identify the alleged victim(s), perpetrator(s), and witness(es), and describe in detail what occurred, including date(s), time(s), and location(s).

If a report involves allegations of Sexual Harassment by or involving the Title IX Coordinator, the person making the report should submit it to the Superintendent, or another Board employee who, in turn, will notify the Superintendent of the report.

The Superintendent will then serve in place of the Title IX Coordinator for purposes of addressing that report of Sexual Harassment.

The Board does business with various vendors, contractors, and other third parties who are not students or employees of the Board. Notwithstanding any rights that a given vendor, contractor, or third-party Respondent may have under this policy, the Board retains the right to limit any vendor’s, contractor’s, or third-party’s access to school grounds for any reason. The Board further retains all rights it enjoys by contract or law to terminate its relationship with any vendor, contractor, or thirdparty irrespective of any process or outcome under this policy.

A person may file criminal charges simultaneously with filing a Formal Complaint. A person does not need to wait until the Title IX investigation is completed before filing a criminal complaint. Likewise, questions or complaints relating to Title IX may be filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights at any time.

Any allegations of Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Activity not involving Sexual Harassment will be addressed through the procedures outlined in Board policies and/or administrative guidelines, the applicable Student Code of Conduct, applicable collective bargaining agreement, and/or Employee/Administrator Handbook.

Because the Board is considered to have actual knowledge of Sexual Harassment or allegations of Sexual Harassment if any Board employee has such knowledge, and because the Board must take specific actions when it has notice of Sexual Harassment or allegations of Sexual Harassment, a Board employee who has independent knowledge of or receives a report involving allegations of sex 14

discrimination and/or Sexual Harassment must notify the/a Title IX Coordinator within two (2) days of learning the information or receiving the report. The Board employee must also comply with mandatory reporting responsibilities pursuant to R.C. 2151.412 and Policy 8462 – Student Abuse and Neglect, if applicable. If the Board employee’s knowledge is based on another individual bringing the information to the Board employee’s attention and the reporting individual submitted a written complaint to the Board employee, the Board employee must provide the written complaint to the Title IX Coordinator.

If a Board employee fails to report an incident of Sexual Harassment of which the Board employee is aware, the Board employee may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

When a report of Sexual Harassment is made, the Title IX Coordinator shall promptly (i.e., within two (2) days of the Title IX Coordinator’s receipt of the report of Sexual Harassment) contact the Complainant (including the parent/guardian if the Complainant is under 18 years of age or under guardianship) to discuss the availability of supportive measures, consider the Complainant’s wishes with respect to supportive measures, inform the Complainant of the availability of supportive measures with or without the filing of a Formal Complaint, and explain to the Complainant the process for filing a Formal Complaint. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the effective implementation of supportive measures.

Any supportive measures provided to the Complainant or Respondent shall be maintained as confidential, to the extent that maintaining such confidentiality will not impair the ability of the District to provide the supportive measures.

Emergency Removal: Subject to limitations and/or procedures imposed by State and/or Federal law, the District may remove a student Respondent from its education program or activity on an emergency basis after conducting an individualized safety and risk analysis. The purposes of the individualized safety and risk analysis is to determine whether the student Respondent poses an immediate threat to the physical health or safety of any student or other individual arising from the allegations of Sexual Harassment that justifies removal. If the District determines the student Respondent poses such a threat, it will so notify the student Respondent and the student Respondent will have an opportunity to challenge the decision immediately following the removal. See Policy 5610 – Removal, Suspension, Expulsion, and Permanent Exclusion of Student, Policy 5610.03 – Emergency Removal of Students, and Policy 5611 – Due Process Rights.

If the Respondent is a non-student employee, the District may place the Respondent on administrative leave during the pendency of the grievance process.

For all other Respondents, including other members of the School District community and Third Parties, the Board retains broad discretion to prohibit such persons from entering onto its school grounds and other properties at any time and for any reason, whether after receiving a report of Sexual Harassment or otherwise.

Formal Complaint of Sexual Harassment A Formal Complaint may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator in person, by mail, or by electronic mail, by using the contact information set forth above. If a Formal 15

Complaint involves allegations of Sexual Harassment by or involving the Title IX Coordinator, the Complainant should submit the Formal Complaint to the Superintendent, who will designate another person to serve in place of the Title IX Coordinator for the limited purpose of implementing the grievance process and procedures with respect to that Formal Complaint.

When the Title IX Coordinator receives a Formal Complaint or signs a Formal Complaint, the District will follow its Grievance Process and Procedures, as set forth herein. Specifically, the District will undertake an objective evaluation of all relevant evidence – including both inculpatory and exculpatory evidence – and provide that credibility determinations will not be based on a person’s status as a Complainant, Respondent, or witness.

It is a violation of this policy for a Complainant(s), Respondent(s), and/or witness(es) to knowingly making false statements or knowingly submitting false information during the grievance process, including intentionally making a false report of Sexual Harassment or submitting a false Formal Complaint. The Board will not tolerate such conduct, which is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

The Respondent is presumed not responsible for the alleged conduct until a determination regarding responsibility is made at the conclusion of the grievance process.

Timeline The District will seek to conclude the grievance process, including resolving any appeals, within sixty (60) days of receipt of the Formal Complaint.

If the Title IX Coordinator offers informal resolution processes, the informal resolution processes may not be used by the Complainant or Respondent to unduly delay the investigation and determination of responsibility. The timeline, however, may be subject to a temporary delay of the grievance process or a limited extension for good cause with written notice to the Complainant and the Respondent of the delay or extension and the reasons for the action. Good cause may include considerations such as the absence of a party, a party’s advisor, or a witness; concurrent law enforcement activity; and the need for language assistance or accommodation of disabilities. The Title IX Coordinator will provide the parties with reasonable updates on the status of the grievance process.

Upon receipt of a Formal Complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will provide written notice of the following to the parties who are known: A. Notice of the Board’s grievance process, including any informal resolution processes; B. Notice of the allegations of misconduct that potentially constitutes Sexual Harassment as defined in this policy, including sufficient details known at the time and with sufficient time to prepare a response before any initial interview. Sufficient details include the identities of the parties involved in the incident, if known, the conduct allegedly constituting Sexual Harassment, and 16

the date and location of the alleged incident, if known. The written notice must: 1.

Include a statement that the Respondent is presumed not responsible for the alleged conduct and that a determination regarding responsibility will be made at the conclusion of the grievance process;

2.

Inform the parties that they may have an advisor of their choice, who may be, but is not required to be, an attorney, and may inspect and review evidence.

3.

Inform the parties of any provision in the Student Code of Conduct, or this policy, that prohibits knowingly making false statements or knowingly submitting false information during the grievance process.

If, during the course of the investigation, the investigator becomes aware of allegations about the Complainant or Respondent that are not included in the original notice provided to the parties, the investigator will notify the Title IX Coordinator and the Title IX Coordinator will decide whether the investigator should investigate the additional allegations; if the Title IX Coordinator decides to include the new allegations as part of the investigation, the Title IX Coordinator will provide notice of the additional allegations to the parties whose identities are known.

Dismissal of a Formal Complaint The District shall investigate the allegations in a Formal Complaint, unless the conduct alleged in the Formal Complaint: A. Would not constitute Sexual Harassment (as defined in this policy) even if proved; B. Did not occur in the District’s education program or activity; or C. Did not occur against a person in the United States.

If one of the preceding circumstances exist, the Title IX Coordinator shall dismiss the Formal Complaint. If the Title IX Coordinator dismisses the Formal Complaint due to one of the preceding reasons, the District may still investigate and take action with respect to such alleged misconduct pursuant to another provision of an applicable code of conduct, Board policy, and/or Employee/Administrator Handbook.

The Title IX Coordinator may dismiss a Formal Complaint, or any allegations therein, if at any time during the investigation.

A. Complainant notifies the Title IX Coordinator in writing that the Complainant would like to withdraw the Formal Complaint or any allegations therein; B. The Respondent is no longer enrolled in the District or employed by the Board; or C. Specific circumstances prevent the District from gathering evidence sufficient to reach a determination as to the Formal Complaint or allegations therein.

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If the Title IX Coordinator dismisses a Formal Complaint or allegations therein, the Title IX Coordinator must promptly send written notice of the dismissal and the reason(s) therefore simultaneously to the parties.

Consolidation of Formal Complaints The Title IX Coordinator may consolidate Formal Complaints as to allegations of Sexual Harassment against more than one Respondent, or by more than one Complainant against one or more Respondents, or by one party against the other party, where the allegations of Sexual Harassment arise out of the same facts or circumstances.

Where a grievance process involves more than one Complainant or more than one Respondent, references in this policy to the singular ‘‘party,’’ ‘‘Complainant,’’ or ‘‘Respondent’’ include the plural, as applicable.

Informal Resolution Process Under no circumstances shall a Complainant be required as a condition of enrollment or continuing enrollment, or employment or continuing employment, or enjoyment of any other right, to waive any right to an investigation and adjudication of a Formal Complaint of Sexual Harassment. Similarly, no party shall be required to participate in an informal resolution process.

If a Formal Complaint is filed, the Title IX Coordinator may offer to the parties an informal resolution process. If the parties mutually agree to participate in the informal resolution process, the Title IX Coordinator shall designate a trained individual to facilitate an informal resolution process, such as mediation, that does not involve a full investigation and adjudication. The informal resolution process may be used at any time prior to the decision-maker(s) reaching a determination regarding responsibility.

If the Title IX Coordinator is going to propose an informal resolution process, the Title IX Coordinator shall provide to the parties a written notice disclosing: A. The allegations; B. The requirements of the informal resolution process including the circumstances under which it precludes the parties from resuming a Formal Complaint arising from the same allegations; and C. Any consequences resulting from participating in the informal resolution process, including the records that will be maintained or could be shared.

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Any time prior to agreeing to a resolution, any party has the right to withdraw from the informal resolution process and resume the grievance process with respect to the Formal Complaint.

Before commencing the informal resolution process, the Title IX Coordinator shall obtain from the parties their voluntary, written consent to the informal resolution process.

During the pendency of the informal resolution process, the investigation and adjudication processes that would otherwise occur have stayed and all related deadlines are suspended.

The informal resolution process is not available to resolve allegations that a Board employee sexually harassed a student.

The informal resolution process is not available to resolve allegations involving a sexual assault involving a student Complainant and a student Respondent.

Investigation of a Formal Complaint of Sexual Harassment In conducting the investigation of a Formal Complaint and throughout the grievance process, the burden of proof and the burden of gathering evidence sufficient to reach a determination regarding responsibility is on the District, not the parties.

In making the determination of responsibility, the decision-maker(s) is(are) directed to use the preponderance of the evidence standard. The decision-maker(s) is charged with considering the totality of all available evidence, from all relevant sources.

The District is not permitted to access, consider, disclose, or otherwise use a party’s records that are made or maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other recognized professional or paraprofessional acting in the professional’s or paraprofessional’s capacity, or assisting in that capacity, and which are made and maintained in connection with the provision of treatment to the party, unless the party provides the District with voluntary, written consent to do so; if a student party is not an Eligible Student, the District must obtain the voluntary, written consent of a parent.

Similarly, the investigator(s) and decision-maker(s) may not require, allow, rely upon or otherwise use questions or evidence that constitute, or seek disclosure of, information protected under a legally recognized privilege, unless the person holding such privilege has waived the privilege in writing.

Neither party shall be restricted in their ability to discuss the allegations under investigation or to gather and present relevant evidence.

The District will provide to a party whose participation is invited or expected written notice of the date, time, location, participants, and purpose of all investigative interviews, or other meetings, with sufficient time for the party to prepare to participate.

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Both parties shall have an equal opportunity to inspect and review any evidence obtained as part of the investigation that is directly related to the allegations raised in the Formal Complaint, including the evidence upon which the District does not intend to rely in reaching a determination regarding responsibility and inculpatory or exculpatory evidence whether obtained from a party or other source, so that each party can meaningfully respond to the evidence prior to the conclusion of the investigation.

Prior to completion of the investigative report, the Title IX Coordinator will send to each party and the party’s advisor, if any, the evidence subject to inspection and review in an electronic format or a hard copy, and the parties will have at least ten (10) calendar days to submit a written response, which the investigator will consider prior to completion of the investigative report.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the investigator shall create an investigative report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence and send the report to each party and the party’s advisor, if any, for their review and written response. The investigator will send the investigative report in an electronic format or a hard copy, at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the decision-maker(s) issuing a determination regarding responsibility.

Determination of Responsibility The Title IX Coordinator shall appoint a decision-maker(s) to issue a determination of responsibility. The decision-maker(s) cannot be the same person(s) as the Title IX Coordinator(s) or the investigator(s).

After the investigator sends the investigative report to the parties and the decisionmaker(s), and before the decision-maker(s) reaches a determination regarding responsibility, the decision-maker(s) will afford each party the opportunity to submit written, relevant questions that a party wants asked of any party or witness, provide each party with the answers, and allow for additional, limited follow-up questions from each party. The decision-maker(s) must explain to the party proposing the questions any decision to exclude a question as not relevant.

Questions and evidence about the Complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant, unless such questions and evidence about the Complainant’s prior sexual behavior are offered to prove that someone other than the Respondent committed the conduct alleged by the Complainant, or if the questions and evidence concern specific incidents of the Complainant’s prior sexual behavior with respect to the Respondent and are offered to prove consent. The decision-maker(s) must explain to the party proposing the questions any decision to exclude a question as not relevant.

Determination Regarding Responsibility: The decision-maker(s) will issue a written determination regarding responsibility. To reach this determination, the decision-maker(s) must apply the preponderance of the evidence standard.

The written determination will include the following content:

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A. Identification of the allegations potentially constituting Sexual Harassment pursuant to this policy; B. A description of the procedural steps taken from the receipt of the Formal Complaint through the determination, including any notifications to the parties, interviews with parties and witnesses, site visits, [and] methods used to gather other evidence.

C. Findings of fact supporting the determination; D. Conclusions regarding the application of the applicable code of conduct to the facts; E. A statement of, and rationale for, the result as to each allegation, including a determination regarding responsibility, any disciplinary sanctions the decisionmaker(s) is recommending that the District impose on the Respondent(s), and whether remedies designed to restore or preserve equal access to the District’s education program or activity should be provided by the District to the Complainant(s); and F. The procedures and permissible bases for the Complainant(s) and Respondent(s) to appeal.

The following disciplinary sanctions/consequences may be imposed on a student Respondent who is determined responsible for violating this policy (i.e., engaging in Sexual Harassment): A. Informal Discipline 1. Writing assignments; 2. Changing of seating or location: Lunchtime; 3. In-school discipline.

B. Formal Discipline 1. Suspension of bus riding/transportation privileges; 2. Removal from co-curricular and/or extra-curricular activity(ies), including athletics; 3. Emergency removal; 4. Suspension for up to ten (10) school days; 5. Expulsion for up to eighty (80) school days or the number of school days remaining in a semester, whichever is greater; 21

6. Expulsion for up to one (1) year; 7. Permanent exclusion; and 8. Any other sanction authorized by the Student Code of Conduct.

If the decision-maker(s) determines the student Respondent is responsible for violating this policy (i.e., engaging in Sexual Harassment), the decision-maker(s) will recommend appropriate remedies, including disciplinary sanctions/consequences.

The Title IX Coordinator will notify the Superintendent of the recommended remedies, so an authorized administrator can consider the recommendation(s) and implement an appropriate remedy(ies) in compliance with Policy 5600 – Student Discipline, Policy 5605 – Suspension/Expulsion of Students with Disabilities, Policy 5610 – Removal, Suspension, Expulsion, and Permanent Exclusion of Students, Policy 5601.01 – Permanent Exclusion of Nondisabled Students, Policy 5610.02 – InSchool Discipline, Policy 5610.03 – Emergency Removal of Students, Policy 5610.04 – Suspension of Bus Riding/Transportation Privileges, Policy 5610.05 – Prohibition from Extra-Curricular Activities, and Policy 5611 – Due Process Rights.

Discipline of a student Respondent must comply with the applicable provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1972, and their respective implementing regulations.

The following disciplinary sanctions/consequences may be imposed on an employee Respondent who is determined responsible for violating this policy (i.e., engaging in Sexual Harassment): A. Oral or written warning; B. Written reprimands; C. Performance improvement plan; D. Required counseling; E. Required training or education; F. Demotion; G. Suspension with pay; H. Suspension without pay; I. Termination, and any other sanction authorized by any applicable Employee/Administrator Handbook and/or collective bargaining agreement.

If the decision-maker(s) determines the employee Respondent is responsible for violating this policy (i.e., engaging in Sexual Harassment), the decision-maker(s) will recommend appropriate remedies, including disciplinary sanctions/consequences.

The Title IX Coordinator will notify the Superintendent of the recommended remedies, so an authorized administrator can consider the recommendation(s) and 22

implement an appropriate remedy(ies) in compliance with applicable due process procedures, whether statutory or contractual.

Discipline of an employee will be implemented in accordance with Federal and State law, Board policy, and applicable provisions of any relevant collective bargaining agreement.

The following disciplinary sanctions/consequences may be imposed on a nonstudent/non-employee member of the School District community or Third Party who is determined responsible for violating this policy (i.e., engaging in Sexual Harassment): A. Oral or written warning; B. Suspension or termination/cancellation of the Board’s contract with the thirdparty vendor or contractor; C. Mandatory monitoring of the third-party while on school property and/or while working/interacting with students; D. Restriction/prohibition on the third-party’s ability to be on school property; and E. Any combination of the same.

If the decision-maker(s) determines the third-party Respondent is responsible for violating this policy (i.e., engaging in Sexual Harassment), the decision-maker(s) will recommend appropriate remedies, including imposition of sanctions. The Title IX Coordinator will notify the Superintendent of the recommended remedies, so appropriate action can be taken.

The decision-maker(s) will provide the written determination to the Title IX Coordinator who will provide the written determination to the parties simultaneously.

In ultimately, imposing a disciplinary sanction/consequence, the Superintendent will consider the severity of the incident, previous disciplinary violations (if any), and any mitigating circumstances.

The District’s resolution of a Formal Complaint ordinarily will not be impacted by the fact that criminal charges involving the same incident have been filed or that charges have been dismissed or reduced.

At any point in the grievance process and procedures, the Superintendent may involve local law enforcement and/or file criminal charges related to allegations of Sexual Harassment that involve a sexual assault.

The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for effective implementation of any remedies.

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Appeal Both parties have the right to file an appeal from a determination regarding responsibility, or from the Title IX Coordinator’s dismissal of a Formal Complaint or any allegations therein, on the following bases: A. Procedural irregularity that affected the outcome of the matter (e.g., material deviation from established procedures); B. New evidence that was not reasonably available at the time the determination regarding responsibility or dismissal was made, that could affect the outcome of the matter; and C. The Title IX Coordinator, investigator(s), or decision-maker(s) had a conflict of interest or bias for or against Complainants or Respondents generally or the individual Complainant(s) or Respondent(s) that affected the outcome of the matter.

Any party wishing to appeal the decision-maker(s)’s determination of responsibility, or the Title IX Coordinator’s dismissal of a Formal Complaint or any allegations therein, must submit a written appeal to the Title IX Coordinator within five (5) days after receipt of the decision-maker(s)’s determination of responsibility or the Title IX Coordinator’s dismissal of a Formal Complaint or any allegations therein.

Nothing herein shall prevent the Superintendent from implementing appropriate remedies, however, excluding disciplinary sanction, while the appeal is pending.

As to all appeals, the Title IX Coordinator will notify the other party in writing when an appeal is filed and implement appeal procedures equally for both parties.

The decision-maker(s) for the appeal shall not be the same person(s) as the decision-maker(s) that reached the determination regarding responsibility or dismissal, the investigator(s), or the Title IX Coordinator(s). The decision-maker(s) for the appeal shall not have a conflict of interest or bias for or against Complainants or Respondents generally or an individual Complainant(s) or Respondent(s) and shall receive the same training as required of other decision-makers.

Both parties shall have a reasonable, equal opportunity to submit a written statement in support of, or challenging, the outcome.

The decision-maker(s) for the appeal shall determine when each party’s written statement is due.

The decision-maker(s) for the appeal shall issue a written decision describing the result of the appeal and the rationale for the result. The original decision-makers(s’) determination of responsibility will stand if the appeal request is not filed in a timely manner or the appealing party fails to show clear error and/or a compelling rationale for overturning or modifying the original determination. The written decision will be provided to the Title IX Coordinator who will provide it simultaneously to both 24

parties. The written decision will be issued within five (5) days of when the parties’ written statements were submitted.

The determination of responsibility associated with a Formal Complaint, including any recommendations for remedies/disciplinary sanctions, becomes final when the time for filing an appeal has passed or, if an appeal is filed, at the point when the decision-maker(s) for the appeal’s decision is delivered to the Complainant and the Respondent.

Retaliation Neither the Board nor any other person may intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX, its implementing regulations, or this policy, or because the individual made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this policy. Intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination, including charges against an individual for code of conduct violations that do not involve sex discrimination or Sexual Harassment, but arise out of the same facts or circumstances as a report or complaint of sex discrimination, or a report or Formal Complaint of Sexual Harassment, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX, its implementing regulations, or this policy, constitutes retaliation. Retaliation against a person for making a report of Sexual Harassment, filing a Formal Complaint, or participating in an investigation is a serious violation of this policy that can result in imposition of disciplinary sanctions/consequences and/or other appropriate remedies.

Complaints alleging retaliation may be filed according to the grievance procedures set forth above.

The exercise of rights protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution does not constitute retaliation prohibited under this policy.

Charging an individual with a code of conduct violation for making a materially false statement in bad faith in the course of a grievance proceeding under this policy shall not constitute retaliation, provided, however, that a determination regarding responsibility, alone, is not sufficient to conclude that any party made a materially false statement in bad faith.

Confidentiality The District will keep confidential the identity of any individual who has made a report or complaint of sex discrimination, including any individual who has made a report or filed a Formal Complaint of Sexual Harassment, any Complainant, any individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of sex discrimination, any Respondent, and any witness, except as may be permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ("FERPA"), 20 U.S.C. 1232g, or FERPA regulations, 34 CFR part 99, or as required by law, or to carry out the purposes of 34 CFR part 106, including the conduct of any investigation, hearing, or judicial proceeding arising thereunder (i.e., the District’s obligation to maintain confidentiality shall not impair or otherwise affect the Complainant’s and Respondent’s receipt of the information to 25

which they are entitled related to the investigative record and determination of responsibility).

Application of the First Amendment The Board will construe and apply this policy consistent with the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In no case will a Respondent be found to have committed Sexual Harassment based on expressive conduct that is protected by the First Amendment Training The District’s Title IX Coordinator, along with any investigator(s), decision-maker(s), or person(s) designated to facilitate an informal resolution process, must receive training on: A. The definition of Sexual Harassment (as that term is used in this policy); B. The scope of the District’s education program or activity; C. How to conduct an investigation and implement the grievance process, appeals and informal resolution processes, as applicable; and D. How to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interests, and bias.

All Board employees will be trained concerning their legal obligation to report Sexual Harassment to the Title IX Coordinator. This training will include practical information about how to identify and report Sexual Harassment.

Recordkeeping As part of its response to alleged violations of this policy, the District shall create, and maintain for a period of seven (7) calendar years, records of any actions, including any supportive measures, taken in response to a report or Formal Complaint of Sexual Harassment. In each instance, the District shall document the basis for its conclusion that its response was not deliberately indifferent, and document that it has taken measures designed to restore or preserve equal access to the District’s education program or activity. If the District does not provide a Complainant with supportive measures, then the District will document the reasons why such a response was not clearly unreasonable in light of the known circumstances. The documentation of certain bases or measures does not limit the District in the future from providing additional explanations or detailing additional measures taken.

The District shall maintain for a period of seven (7) calendar years the following records: A. Each Sexual Harassment investigation including any determination regarding responsibility any disciplinary sanctions recommended and/or imposed on the Respondent(s), and any remedies provided to the Complainant(s) designed to restore or preserve equal access to the District’s education program or activity 26

B. Any appeal and the result therefrom.

C. Any informal resolution and the result therefrom, and D. All materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decisionmakers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process.

The District will make its training materials publicly available on its website.

Outside Appointments, Dual Appointments, and Delegations The Board retains discretion to appoint suitably qualified persons who are not Board employees to fulfill any function of the Board under this policy, including, but not limited to, Title IX Coordinator, investigator, decision-maker, decision-maker for appeals, facilitator of informal resolution processes, and advisor.

The Board also retains discretion to appoint two or more persons to jointly fulfill the role of Title IX Coordinator, investigator, decision-maker, decision-maker for appeals, facilitator of informal resolution processes, and advisor.

The Superintendent may delegate functions assigned to a specific Board employee under this policy, including but not limited to the functions assigned to the Title IX Coordinator, investigator, decision-maker, decision-maker for appeals, facilitator of informal resolution processes, and advisor, to any suitably qualified individual and such delegation may be rescinded by the Superintendent at any time.

Discretion in Application The Board retains discretion to interpret and apply this policy in a manner that is not clearly unreasonable, even if the Board’s interpretation or application differs from the interpretation of any specific Complainant and/or Respondent.

Despite the Board’s reasonable efforts to anticipate all eventualities in drafting this policy, it is possible unanticipated or extraordinary circumstances may not be specifically or reasonably addressed by the express policy language, in which case the Board retains discretion to respond to the unanticipated or extraordinary circumstance in a way that is not clearly unreasonable.

The provisions of this policy are not contractual in nature, whether in their own right, or as part of any other express or implied contract. Accordingly, the Board retains discretion to revise this policy at any time, and for any reason. The Board may apply policy revisions to an active case provided that doing so is not clearly unreasonable.

ZERO TOLERANCE No form of violent, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior, including excessive truancy, will be tolerated.

STUDENT DISCIPLINE CODE Each of the behaviors and/or types of misconduct described below are prohibited and may subject the student to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, student conference, parent/guardian notification, parent/guardian conference, detention, removal of driving privileges, in-school discipline, suspension and/or expulsion from school. Furthermore, any criminal acts committed at or related to the School will be 27

reported to law enforcement officials as well as disciplined at school. Certain criminal acts may result in permanent exclusion from school.

1. POSSESSION/USE OF DRUGS AND/OR ALCOHOL Possessing, using, transmitting, or concealing, or being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, controlled substance including, but not limited to, narcotics, mood altering drugs, counterfeit controlled substances, look-alikes, over the counter stimulants or depressants, anabolic steroids, or drug-related paraphernalia.

If a building administrator has a reasonable individualized suspicion of drug or alcohol use, s/he may request the student in question to submit to any appropriate testing.

2. POSSESSION/USE OF TOBACCO Possession, consumption, distribution, purchase or attempt to purchase, and/or use of tobacco products or electronic cigarettes or similar devices in school, on school grounds, on school buses, in Board-owned vehicles, within any indoor facility owned or leased or contracted for by the Board, and at any interscholastic competition, extra-curricular event, or other school-sponsored event. Tobacco products include, but are not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff or any other matter or substance that contains tobacco. The term “tobacco” includes any product that contains tobacco, is derived from tobacco, contains nicotine, or e-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices (including but not limited to "JUULs"), but does not include any cessation product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for use as a medical treatment to reduce or eliminate nicotine or tobacco dependence. Smoking of electronic, "vapor", other substitute forms of cigarettes, or clove cigarettes is also prohibited.

3. USE AND/OR POSSESSION OF A FIREARM Bringing a firearm (as defined in the Federal Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994) onto school property or to any school-sponsored activity, competition, program, or event, regardless of where it occurs, will result in a mandatory one (1) year expulsion under Ohio law. This expulsion may be reduced on a case-by-case basis by the Superintendent using the guideline(s) set forth in Board Policy 5610.06.

Firearm is defined as any weapon (including a starter gun) that will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or any destructive device (as defined in the Federal Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994). Firearms include any unloaded firearm and any firearm that is inoperable but that can be readily operated.

Students are prohibited from knowingly possessing an object on school premises, in a school or a school building, at a school activity or on a school bus that is indistinguishable from a firearm, whether or not the object is capable of being fired, and indicating they are in possession of such an object and that it is a 28

firearm or knowingly displaying or brandishing the object and indicating it is a firearm.

4. USE AND/OR POSSESSION OF A WEAPON A weapon is any device that may be used for offensive or defensive purpose, including but not limited to conventional objects such as guns, pellet guns, knives, or club type implements. It may also include any toy that is presented as a real weapon or reacted to as a real weapon. Possession and/or use of a weapon may subject a student to expulsion and possible permanent exclusion.

A knife is defined as any cutting instrument consisting of a sharp blade fastened to a handle, a razor blade or any similar device that is used for or is readily capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.

5. USE OF AN OBJECT AS A WEAPON Any object that is used to threaten, harm, or harass another may be considered a weapon. This includes but is not limited to padlocks, pens, pencils, laser pointers, and jewelry.

6. KNOWLEDGE OF DANGEROUS WEAPONS OR THREATS OF VIOLENCE Because the Board believes that students, staff members, and visitors are entitled to function in a safe school environment, students are required to report knowledge of dangerous weapons or threats of violence to the administrator.

Failure to report such knowledge may subject the student to discipline.

7. ARSON Intentional or purposeful destruction or damage to school or District buildings or property by means of fire. Anything, such as fire, that endangers school property, and its occupants will not be tolerated. Arson is a felony.

8. PHYSICALLY ASSAULTING A STAFF MEMBER/STUDENT/PERSON ASSOCIATED WITH THE DISTRICT Acting with intent to cause fear in another person of immediate bodily harm or death, or intentionally bullying, inflicting, or attempting to inflict bodily harm upon another person. Physical assault of a staff member, student, or other person associated with the District, regardless of whether it causes injury, will not be tolerated. Any intentional, harmful or potentially harmful physical contact or bullying initiated by a student against a staff member will be considered to be assault. Assault may result in criminal charges and may subject the student to expulsion.

9. VERBALLY THREATENING (EITHER ORALLY, IN WRITING OR OTHERWISE EXPRESSED) A STAFF MEMBER/STUDENT/PERSON ASSOCIATED WITH THE DISTRICT Any oral or written statement or otherwise expressed action that a staff member, student, or other person associated with the District reasonably feels to be a threat will be considered a verbal assault. Profanity directed toward a staff member in a threatening tone may also be considered a verbal assault.

Confrontation with a student or staff member that bullies, intimidates, or causes fear of bodily harm or death is also prohibited.

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10. MISCONDUCT AGAINST A SCHOOL OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE, OR THE PROPERTY OF SUCH A PERSON, REGARDLESS OF WHERE IT OCCURS The Board prohibits misconduct committed by a student against a school official or employee, including, but not limited to, harassment (of any type), vandalization, assault (verbal and/or physical), and destruction of property.

11. MISCONDUCT OFF SCHOOL GROUNDS Students may be subject to discipline for their misconduct even when it occurs off school property when the misconduct is connected to activities or incidents that occurred on property owned or controlled by the District.

Misconduct is defined as any violation of the Student Discipline Code.

12. EXTORTION Extortion is the use of threat, intimidation, force, or deception to take, or receive something from someone else. Extortion is against the law.

13. GAMBLING Gambling (i.e., playing a game of chance for stakes) includes casual betting, betting pools, organized-sports betting, and any other form of wagering.

Students who bet on any school activity in which they are involved may also be banned from that school activity.

14. FALSIFICATION OF SCHOOLWORK, IDENTIFICATION, FORGERY Falsifying signatures or data or refusing to give proper identification or giving false information to a staff member. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, forgery of hall/bus passes and excuses, as well as use of false I.D.’s.

Plagiarism and cheating are also forms of falsification and will subject the student to academic penalties as well as disciplinary action.

15. BOMB THREATS, AND OTHER FALSE ALARMS AND REPORTS Making a bomb threat (i.e., intentionally giving a false alarm of a bomb) against a school building or any premises at which a school activity is being held at the time the threat is made may result in expulsion for a period of up to one (1) school year. Additionally, intentionally giving a false alarm of a fire, or tampering or interfering with any fire alarm is prohibited. It should be remembered that false emergency alarms or reports endanger the safety forces that are responding to the alarm/report, the citizens of the community, and the persons in the building. What may seem like a prank, is a dangerous stunt that is against the law and will subject the student to disciplinary action.

16. TERRORISTIC THREAT Threatening, directly or indirectly, to commit a crime of violence with the purpose to terrorize another or with reckless disregard of the risk of causing terror in another.

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17. POSSESSION AND/OR USE OF EXPLOSIVES AND/OR FIREWORKS Possessing or using any compound or mixture, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion, with substantially instantaneous release of gas and heat (including, but not limited to explosives and chemical-reaction objects such as smoke bombs and poppers). Additionally, possessing or offering for sale any substance, combination of substances or article prepared to produce a visible and/or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation.

18. TRESPASSING Although schools are public facilities, the law allows the Board to restrict access to school property. Being present in any Board-owned facility or portion of a Board-owned facility when it is closed to the public or when the student does not have the authorization to be there, or unauthorized presence in a Board-owned vehicle; or unauthorized access or activity in a Board-owned computer, into District, school or staff computer files, into a school or District file server, or into the Network. When a student has been removed, suspended, expelled, or permanently excluded from school, the student is prohibited from being present on school property without authorization of the administrator.

19. THEFT, OR KNOWINGLY RECEIVING OR POSSESSING STOLEN PROPERTY Unauthorized taking of property of another person or receiving or possessing such property. Students caught stealing will be disciplined and may be reported to law enforcement officials. Students should not bring anything of value to school without prior authorization from a school administrator. The school is not responsible for personal property.

20. INSUBORDINATION Students are expected to comply with the reasonable directions of staff. Willful refusal or failure to follow or comply with an appropriate direction given by a staff member or acting in defiance of staff members.

21. DAMAGING PROPERTY (VANDALISM) Defacing, cutting, or otherwise damaging property that belongs to the school, District, other students, employees or others and disregard for school property.

22. PERSISTENT ABSENCE OR TARDINESS Attendance laws require students to be in school all day or to have a legitimate excuse for their absence. Penalties for unexcused absences can range from detention to a referral to court and/or revocation of the student’s driver’s license.

23. UNAUTHORIZED USE OF SCHOOL OR PRIVATE PROPERTY Students must obtain permission to use any school property or any private property located on school premises. Any unauthorized use of school property, or private property located on school premises, shall be subject to disciplinary action.

24. REFUSING TO ACCEPT DISCIPLINE Students failing to comply with disciplinary penalties may face enhanced penalties for such action.

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25. AIDING OR ABETTING VIOLATION OF SCHOOL RULES Assisting other students in the violation of any school rule. Students are expected to resist peer pressure and exercise sound decision-making regarding their behavior.

26. DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION/SEXUAL ACTIVITIES Affection between students is personal and not meant for public display. This includes touching, petting, or any other contact that may be considered sexual in nature. Sexual activity of any nature is prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.

27. POSSESSION/USE OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT AND PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES (see Section I – Use of Personal Communication Devices) 28. VIOLATION OF INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL/CLASSROOM RULES Each learning environment has different rules for students. These rules are for the safe and orderly operation of that environment. Students will be oriented to specific rules within each learning environment, all of which will be consistent with this Code.

29. VIOLATION OF BUS RULES (see Section V – Transportation) 30. INTERFERENCE, DISRUPTION, OR OBSTRUCTION OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS Any actions or manner of dress that materially and substantially disrupts or interferes with school activities or the educational process, or which threaten to do so are unacceptable. Such disruptions include, but are not limited to, delay or prevention of lessons, assemblies, field trips, athletic and performing arts events.

31. HARASSMENT AND/OR AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR (INCLUDING BULLYING/CYBERBULLYING) The Board encourages the promotion of positive interpersonal relations between members of the school community. Harassment and/or aggressive behavior (including bullying/cyberbullying) toward a student, whether by other students, staff, or third parties is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition includes physical, verbal, and psychological abuse, and any speech or action that creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive learning environment.

The Board will not tolerate any gestures, comments, threats, or actions which cause or threaten to cause bodily harm or personal degradation. Individuals engaging in such conduct will be subject to disciplinary action.

Conduct constituting sexual harassment, may include, but is not limited to: A. Verbal harassment or abuse; B. Pressure for sexual activity; 32

C. Repeated remarks with sexual or demeaning implications; D. Unwelcome touching; E. Sexual jokes, posters, cartoons, etc.; F. Suggesting or demanding sexual involvement, accompanied by implied or explicit threats concerning one’s grades or safety.

A pattern of conduct, which can be subtle in nature, that has sexual overtones and is intended to create or has the effect of creating discomfort and/or humiliation to another.

Remarks speculating about a person’s sexual activities or sexual history, or remarks about one’s own sexual activities or sexual history.

Conduct constituting harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, or disability may take different forms, including, but not limited to, the following: A. Verbal: The making of offensive written or oral innuendoes, comments, jokes, insults, threats, or disparaging remarks concerning a person's race, color, national origin, religious beliefs, or disability.

B. Nonverbal: Placing offensive objects, pictures, or graphic commentaries in the school environment or making insulting or threatening gestures based upon a person's race, color, national origin, religious beliefs, or disability.

C. Physical: Any intimidating or disparaging action such as hitting, pushing, shoving, hissing, or spitting, on or by a fellow staff member, students, or other person associated with the District, or third parties, based upon the person's race, color, national origin, religious beliefs, or disability.

Aggressive behavior is defined as inappropriate conduct that is repeated enough, or serious enough, to negatively impact a student's educational, physical, or emotional wellbeing. This type of behavior is a form of intimidation and harassment, although it need not be based on any of the legally protected characteristics, such as sex, race, color, marital status, or disability. It would include, but not be limited to, such behaviors as stalking, bullying/cyberbullying, intimidating, menacing, coercion, name-calling, taunting, making threats, and hazing.

Any student who believes that s/he is the victim of any of the above actions or has observed such actions by another student, staff member, or other person associated with the District, or by third parties should contact the District's AntiHarassment Complaint Coordinator(s): 33

Michael Sheppard Assistant Superintendent 440-891-7643 7185 Old Oak Blvd.

Middleburg Hts., OH 44130 msheppard@polaris.edu Diane Xander Executive Director of Innovation and Career Development 440-891-7679 7285 Old Oak Blvd.

Middleburg Hts., OH 44130 dxander@polaris.edu 32. HAZING Performing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to perform any act of initiation into any class, team, or organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm. Permission, consent, or assumption or risk by an individual subjected to hazing shall not lessen the prohibitions contained in this rule.

Hazing by any individual, school group, club, or team is not permitted. This includes any form of initiation that causes or creates a risk of causing mental or physical harm, no matter how willing the participant may be. Hazing activities are prohibited at any time in school facilities, on school property, and/or off school property but connected to activities or incidents that have occurred on school property.

All incidents of hazing must be reported immediately to any of the following individuals: the administrator; teacher; coach; student club advisor/supervisor, and/or Superintendent. Students who engage in hazing may also be liable for civil and criminal penalties.

33. VIOLENT CONDUCT Students may be expelled for up to one school year for committing an act at school, on other school property, at an interscholastic competition, extracurricular event, or any other school program, or directing an act at a Board official or employee, regardless of where or when that act may occur, or their property that would be a criminal offense if committed by an adult and results in serious physical harm to person(s) or property.

34. IMPROPER DRESS Clothing may not include words or visuals that are lewd, obscene, disruptive, abusive, or discriminatory, or that advertise drugs, alcohol or tobacco. Dress or grooming that is disruptive of the classroom or school atmosphere is not allowed.

Shoes must be worn at all times for health and safety reasons. Program uniforms must be worn at all times while in class.

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35. DRIVING AND PARKING REGULATIONS Driving on school property in such a manner as to endanger persons or property.

Students must follow the guidelines under Self-Transportation to School in Section V-Transportation of the High School Student and Parent Handbook.

36. BURGLARY Entering a building or a specific area of a building without consent and with intent to commit a crime or entering a building without consent and committing a crime.

37. FIGHTING Engaging in adversarial physical contact (differentiated from poking, pushing, shoving, or scuffling) in which one or the other party(ies) or both contributed to the situation by verbally instigating a fight and/or physical action. Promoting or instigating a fight (i.e., contributing to a fight verbally or through behavior).

38. LIGHTING INCENDIARY DEVICES Unauthorized igniting of matches, lighters and other devices that produce flames.

39. POSSESSION OF PORNOGRAPHY Possessing sexually explicit material.

40. UNAUTHORIZED USE OF VEHICLES Occupying or using vehicles during school hours without parental permission and/or school authorization.

41. DISRESPECT TO A STAFF MEMBER Students talking back to, arguing with, or making disrespectful comments (either verbally or in written form) directed at staff members, or about staff members, are not permitted. All school personnel will be addressed in a proper manner.

42. UNSAFE BEHAVIOR/HORSEPLAY IN THE LAB OR SCHOOL Students will not behave in such a way that would disrupt the educational process or interfere with the education of others or cause an unsafe condition in the lab. No student will interfere with or cause harm to the work/equipment/project of another student in the lab.

43. USE OF PROFANE, VULGAR, OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE OR GESTURES Students will not use profane, vulgar, or abusive language, or gestures.

44. REPEATED OR CONTINUED VIOLATION OF MINOR SCHOOL CONDUCT RULES OR RULES FOR WHICH SUSPENSION MAY BE IMPOSED If, after out-of-school suspension, a student continues to violate the minor school conduct rules, expulsion may result as the next step. Additionally, a student who has been suspended may be expelled for new suspendable conduct after having served an out-of-school suspension.

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45. LEAVING SCHOOL WITHOUT PERMISSION Students will not leave the school building before dismissal except where school policy otherwise provides or without first obtaining the consent of their parent/guardian or appropriate school administrator.

DISCIPLINE It is important to remember that the School’s rules apply going to and from school, at school, on school property, at school-sponsored events, on school transportation, and on property not owned or controlled by the Board but that is connected to activities or incidents that have occurred on property owned or controlled by the Board. Furthermore, students may be disciplined for conduct that, regardless of where or when it occurs, is directed at a Board official or employee, or the property of such official or employee. In some cases, a student can be suspended from school transportation for infractions of school bus rules.

The School is committed to providing prompt, reasonable discipline consistent with the severity of the incident. The consequences for misbehavior are designed to be fair, firm and consistent for all students in the School.

Because it is not possible to list every misbehavior that occurs, misbehaviors not listed above will be responded to as necessary by staff.

Two (2) types of discipline are possible, informal and formal.

Informal Discipline Informal discipline takes place within the School. It includes: A. Warning; B. Writing assignments; C. Change of seating or location; D. In-school discipline; E. Call home.

In-School Discipline Alternative Behavior Center (ABC) A student missing any portion of his/her assigned time in In-School Discipline may be given an additional hour of In-School Discipline. Failure to timely serve In-School Discipline assignment(s) may lead to suspension from school for a period not to exceed 10 days. Any such suspension shall be in accordance with District guidelines on suspension and expulsion.

The following rules apply to In-School Discipline (ABC) A. Students are required to have class assignments with them.

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B. Students are not to communicate with each other unless given permission to do so.

C. Students are to always remain in their designated seats unless permission is granted to do otherwise.

D. Students shall not be allowed to put their heads down or sleep.

E. No electronic communication devices, radios, CD/MP3 players, cards, magazines, or other entertainment/recreational articles or devices shall be allowed in the room.

F. No food or beverages shall be consumed.

Formal Discipline Formal discipline involves removal of the student from school. It includes emergency removal for up to three (3) school days, suspension for up to ten (10) school days, expulsion for up to eighty (80) school days or the number of days remaining in a semester, whichever is greater, and permanent exclusion. Expulsions may carry over into the next school year. Any student who is expelled from school for more than twenty (20) days or for any period of time if the expulsion will extend into the following semester or school year will be provided with information about services or programs offered by public and private agencies that work toward improving those aspects of the student’s attitude and behavior that contributed to the incident that gave rise to the student’s expulsion. The Superintendent at his/her discretion may require/allow a student to perform community service in conjunction with or in place of an expulsion. The Superintendent may impose a community service requirement beyond the end of the school year in lieu of applying the expulsion to the following school year. Removal for less than one (1) school day without the possibility of suspension or expulsion may not be appealed. Suspension, expulsion, and permanent exclusion may be appealed.

Students being considered for suspension are entitled to an informal meeting with the building administrator prior to removal. Also, students being considered for expulsion are entitled to an informal meeting with the Superintendent or designee prior to removal. During the informal meeting, the student will be notified of the charges and given the opportunity to respond.

Students involved in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities such as band and athletics can lose their eligibility for violation of the School rules.

If a student commits a crime while under the School’s jurisdiction, s/he may be subject to school disciplinary action as well as action through local law enforcement.

DUE PROCESS RIGHTS Before a student is suspended, expelled, or permanently excluded from school, there are specific procedures that must be followed.

As long as the in-school discipline is served entirely in the school setting, it will not require any notice or meeting, or be subject to appeal.

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Suspension from School When a student is being considered for a suspension, the administrator in charge will notify the student of the basis for the proposed suspension. The student will be given an opportunity to explain his/her view of the underlying facts. After that informal hearing, the administrator will determine whether or not to suspend the student. If the decision is made to suspend the student, s/he and his/her parents will be given written notification of the suspension within one (1) day setting forth the reason for the suspension, the length of the suspension, and the process for appeal. The suspension may be appealed, within five school days after receipt of the suspension notice, to Mr. Michael Sheppard, Assistant Superintendent. The request for an appeal must be in writing.

During the appeal process, the student shall not be allowed to remain in school.

If the appeal is heard by the Board’s designee, the appeal shall be conducted in a private hearing. If the appeal is heard by the Board of Education, the appeal shall be conducted in executive session unless the student or his/her representative requests otherwise. A verbatim transcript will be made, and witnesses will be sworn in prior to giving testimony. If the appeal decision is to uphold the suspension, the next step in the appeal process is to the Court of Common Pleas.

Emergency Removal If a student’s presence poses a continuing danger to persons or property, or an ongoing threat of disrupting the academic process taking place either in a classroom or elsewhere on the school premises, the Superintendent, Principal or Assistant Principal may remove the student from any curricular or extracurricular activity or from the school premises.

If the emergency removal exceeds one (1) school day, then a hearing will be held on the next school day after the removal is ordered. Written notice of the hearing and the reasons for removal and any intended disciplinary action will be provided to the student, as soon as practical prior to the hearing. If the student is subject to an out of school suspension, the student will have the opportunity to appear at an informal hearing before the school administrator and may challenge the reasons for the removal or otherwise explain his/her actions.

Within one (1) school day of the decision to suspend, written notification will be given to the parent(s)/guardian(s) or custodian(s) of the student. This notice will include the reasons for the suspension, the right of the student or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) or custodian(s) to appeal to the Board or its designee, and the student’s right to be represented in all appeal proceedings. If it is likely that the student may be subject to expulsion, the hearing will take place within three (3) school days and will be held in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Student Expulsion Policy. The person who ordered or requested the removal will be present at the hearing. In an emergency removal, a student may be kept from class until the matter of the alleged misconduct is resolved either by reinstatement, suspension or expulsion.

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Expulsion from School When a student is being considered for expulsion, the student and parent will be provided with a formal notice of the proposed expulsion. This written notice will include the reasons for the intended expulsion, notification of the opportunity to appear in person before the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee to challenge the reasons for the expulsion and/or explain the student’s action, and notification of the time and place to appear. Students being considered for expulsion may be removed immediately. A hearing will be scheduled no earlier than three (3), nor no later than five (5) school days after the notice is given. Parents may request an extension of time for the hearing. The student may be represented by his/her parents, legal counsel, and/or by a person of his/her choice at the hearing.

In accordance with Board Policy 5610, the Superintendent shall initiate expulsion proceedings against a student who has committed an act that warrants expulsion under Board policy even if the student withdraws from school prior to the hearing or decision to impose the expulsion. The expulsion will be imposed for the same duration that it would have been had the student remained enrolled.

If a student is expelled, the student and the student’s parents will be provided with written notice within one (1) school day of the imposed expulsion. The notice will include the reasons for the expulsion, the right of the student, or the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) or custodian(s) to appeal the expulsion to the Board or its designee, the right to be represented in all appeal proceedings, the right to be granted a hearing before the Board or its designee, and the right to request that the hearing be held in executive session.

Within ten Calendar days after the Superintendent notifies the parents of the expulsion, the expulsion may be appealed, in writing, to the Board of Education or its designee. A hearing on the requested appeal will be formal with an opportunity for sworn testimony. If the expulsion is upheld on appeal, a student’s parents may pursue further appeal to the Court of Common Pleas.

Students serving expulsions will not be awarded grades or credit during the period of expulsion. Expulsion for certain violations including use or possession of alcohol or drugs, may result in revocation of student’s driver’s license. When a student is expelled, the Superintendent will notify any college in which the expelled student is enrolled under the Postsecondary Enrollment Option at the time the expulsion is imposed.

Permanent Exclusion State law provides for the permanent exclusion of a student, 16 years of age or older who engages in certain criminal activity. Permanently excluded students may never be permitted to return to school anywhere in the State of Ohio. A permanent exclusion may be considered if the student is convicted or adjudicated delinquent for committing one or more of the following crimes while on the property of any Ohio school: A. Conveying deadly weapons onto school property or to a school function; 39

B. Possessing deadly weapons onto school property or at a school function; C. Carrying a concealed weapon onto school property or at a school function; D. Trafficking in drugs onto school property or at a school function; E. Murder, aggravated murder on school property or at a school function; F. Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter on school grounds or at a school function; G. Assault or aggravated assault on school property or at a school function; H. Rape, gross sexual imposition or felonious sexual penetration on school grounds, or at a school function, when the victim is a school employee; I. Complicity in any of the above offenses, regardless of the location.

This process is formal and may follow an expulsion with the proper notification to the parents.

Discipline of Students with Disabilities Students with disabilities are entitled to the rights and procedures afforded by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (I.D.E.I.A.), and, where applicable, the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.), and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

SEARCH AND SEIZURE Administrators may search a student or his/her property (including vehicles, purses, knapsacks, gym bags, etc.) with or without the student’s consent, whenever they reasonably suspect that a search will lead to the discovery of evidence of a violation of law or school rules. The extent of the search will be governed by the seriousness of the alleged infraction and the student’s age. General housekeeping inspection of school property may be conducted with reasonable notice. Student lockers are the property of the District and students have no reasonable expectation of privacy in their contents or in the contents of any other District property including desks or other containers. School authorities may conduct random searches of the lockers and their contents at any time without announcement. Unannounced and random canine searches may also be conducted.

Additionally, students have NO reasonable expectation of privacy in their actions in public areas including but not limited to, common areas, hallways, cafeterias, classrooms and gymnasiums. The District may use video cameras in such areas and on all school vehicles transporting students to and from regular and extracurricular activities.

Anything that is found in the course of a search may be used as evidence of a violation of school rules or the law, and may be taken, held, or turned over to the police. The School reserves the right not to return items that have been confiscated.

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INTERROGATION OF STUDENTS The School is committed to protecting students from harm that may be connected with the school environment and also recognizes its responsibility to cooperate with law enforcement and public child welfare agencies. While the School believes these agencies should conduct their investigations off school property if possible, investigations can take place at school in emergency situations or if the violation being investigated occurred on school property.

Before students are questioned as witnesses or suspects in an alleged criminal violation, the building administrator will attempt to contact a parent prior to questioning and shall remain in the room during questioning.

If a student is questioned as the subject of alleged child abuse or neglect, the building administrator will attempt to contact a parent prior to questioning, and s/he (or a designated guidance counselor) will remain in the room during questioning. If the agency investigating the alleged child abuse or neglect suspects the parent is the perpetrator, neither parent will be contacted prior to questioning, but the building administrator (or a designated guidance counselor) will remain in the room during questioning.

If law enforcement or children's services agency removes a student from school, the building administrator will notify a parent.

STUDENT RIGHTS OF EXPRESSION The School recognizes the right of students to express themselves. With the right of expression comes the responsibility to do so appropriately. Students may distribute or display, at appropriate times, non-sponsored, non-commercial written material and petitions; buttons, badges, or other insignia; clothing, insignia, and banners; and audio and video materials. All items must meet school guidelines.

A. Material cannot be displayed if it: 1. Is obscene to minors, libelous, or pervasively indecent or vulgar; 2. Advertises any product or service not permitted to minors by law; 3.Intends to be insulting or harassing; 4. Intends to incite fighting; or 5. Presents a clear and present likelihood that, either because of its content or manner of distribution or display, it will cause or is likely to cause a material and substantial disruption of school or school activities, a violation of school regulations, or the commission of an unlawful act.

B. Material may not be displayed or distributed during class periods, or between classes. Permission may be granted for display or distribution during lunch periods, and/or before or after school in designated locations, as long as exits are not blocked and there is proper access and egress to the building.

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Students who are unsure whether materials they wish to display meet school guidelines may present them to the High School Administration twenty-four (24) hours prior to display.

SECTION V – TRANSPORTATION BUS CONDUCT Students who are riding District-provided transportation must follow all basic safety rules. This applies to school-owned buses as well as any contracted transportation.

The driver may assign seating or direct students in any reasonable manner to maintain transportation safety.

Students must comply with the following basic safety rules: A. Remain seated while the school transportation is in motion; B. Keep head, hands, arms, and legs inside the school transportation at all times; C. Not push, shove or engage in scuffling; D. Not litter in the school vehicle or throw anything in, into, or from the vehicle; E. Keep books, packages, coats, and all other objects out of the aisle; F. Be courteous to the driver and to other riders; G. Not eat or play games, cards, etc.; H. Not use nuisance devices (e.g., laser pointers) on the bus in a way that disrupts the safe transportation of students and/or endangers students or employees; I. Not tamper with the school vehicle or any of its equipment (including, but not limited to emergency and/or safety equipment).

Exiting the school vehicle A. Remain seated until the vehicle has stopped; B. Be alert to a possible danger signal from the driver.

PENALTIES FOR INFRACTIONS A student who misbehaves on the bus shall be disciplined in accordance with the Student Discipline Code.

SELF-TRANSPORTATION TO SCHOOL Driving to school is a privilege that can be revoked at any time. Students who are provided the opportunity to ride school transportation are encouraged to do so.

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Students and their parents assume full responsibility and liability for any transportation to and from school not officially provided by the School.

The following rules shall apply: A. Students under age 18 must have written parent permission prior to driving to school.

B. Students and their parents shall complete a parking pass application, valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance certificate.

C. Students are required to obey the parking lot speed limit of 10 mph.

D. The student must obtain a permit from the welcome center and pay a fee of $ 25.00 for the entire school year.

E. If a student’s parking permit is suspended, no fees will be refunded.

F. Failure to comply with these rules will result in loss of privileges and/or disciplinary actions for a student.

G. All vehicles entering school property are subject to search and inspection.

USE OF MOTORIZED UTILITY VEHICLES Safe Operation of Motorized Utility Vehicles by Students Motorized utility vehicles may be used on school property and/or in conjunction with approved school activities only if operated for the approved purpose and in accordance with AG 5515.01.

All operators must be at least sixteen (16) years of age, licensed to drive a motor vehicle in the State of Ohio, and have adequate liability insurance. Prior written permission by the student operator's parent/guardian and release of liability is required.

All operators must be approved in advance by administration and must be accepted in the District's liability insurance program. Student operators shall only operate utility vehicles at the direction and under the supervision of the approved teacher/activity sponsor/coach.

Operators shall participate in basic safety training for operation of motorized utility vehicles, as prescribed in the administrative guidelines, prior to operating any such vehicle(s). Individuals authorized to operate such utility vehicles may not allow anyone else to use the vehicle (e.g., other students, relatives, friends, etc.). The utility vehicle may only be used for the specific activity and function that has been assigned.

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