JDA - Safe School Environment

1. PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY

The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility to provide a safe environment where students and employees are free from unlawful and violent acts. Nebo School District will not tolerate acts of violence, threatened acts of violence, use or possession of a weapon, hazing, assault, demeaning behavior, criminal conduct, or gang activity in or about the schools, school grounds, or school activities and events, including transportation.

2. DEFINITIONS

“Arson” means the willful and malicious burning of any part of a building or its contents.

“Battery/Fighting” means the unlawful and intentional touching or striking of a district employee, volunteer, or student with the intention of causing bodily harm to that individual. The encouragement of others to do so would also constitute battery.

 “Burglary” means breaking, entering, or remaining in a structure without justification during the hours when premises are closed to the public.

“Criminal Mischief” means vandalism, graffiti, or destruction of school property or the property of others.

 “Explosive device" and "noxious or flammable material" include, but are not limited to, bombs, bullets and ammunition, fireworks, gasoline or other flammable liquids, mace, pepper spray, matches, and lighters. 

“Facsimile firearm” or “look-alike firearm” includes, but is not limited to, starter pistols, air-soft guns, cap guns, or toy guns. 

"Firearm” includes, but is not limited to, handguns, rifles, shotguns, BB or pellet guns, or any device from which is expelled a projectile by action of an explosive. 

“Intimidation” means engaging in behavior that prevents or discourages another student from exercising his/her right to education through threats, coercion or force.

“Stealing/Larceny” means the intentional unlawful taking and/or carrying away of property belonging to or in the lawful possession or custody of another.

“Verbal Abuse” means using harassing, vulgar, or derogatory remarks towards another district employee, volunteer, or student.

“Weapon” includes, but is not limited to, firearms, knives, explosive device, noxious or flammable material, martial arts weapon, or other dangerous object, material, or device that is used for, or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury. 

3. VIOLATION OF STUDENT SAFETY

A student may be suspended, expelled, or subject to other appropriate disciplinary action when the school administration has determined that he/she represents a threat to the health and/or safety of other students and/or employees by:

Causing, attempting, or threatening to cause personal harm, damage to personal or school property, and/or disrupting school activities or transportation. Such actions include, but are not limited to, arson, burglary, stealing/larceny, battery/fighting, criminal mischief, intimidation, and verbal abuse. 

Gang signing, wearing of bandannas, headgear, chains, or any article of clothing or jewelry bearing any gang symbols, names, initials, insignia, tattoos, or anything else which signals gang affiliation and/or is worn for the purpose of signifying gang membership. 

Involvement in illegal activities, disrupting normal school proceedings, or inciting other students to disrupt school proceedings. 

Unless under the direction of an administrator or teacher, using laser lights and laser pointers at school, at school functions or activities, or on any district vehicle being used to transport students. 

For a comprehensive list of school violations, see Nebo School District Policy JD, Student Conduct and Discipline. 

4. WEAPONS VIOLATION 

Any student who, in a school building, in a school vehicle, on district property, or in conjunction with any school activity: (a) possesses, controls, uses, or threatens use of a real weapon, explosive, noxious or flammable material; or (b) actually uses or threatens to use a facsimilie or look-alike weapon with the intent to intimidate another person or to disrupt normal school activities; shall be suspended or expelled from all district schools, programs, and activities for a period of not less than one (1) year, subject to the following: 

Within forty-five (45) days after the suspension or expulsion, the student shall appear before the Coordinator of Student Services or the Multi-disciplinary Team, accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. 

The Coordinator of Student Services or the Multi-disciplinary Team shall determine: (a) what conditions must be met by the student and the student’s parent/legal guardian for the student to return to school; (b) whether the student should be placed on probation in a regular or alternative school setting; (c) what conditions must be met by the student in order to ensure the safety of students and district employees at the school in which the student is placed; and (d) if it would be in the best interest of both the district and the student to modify the expulsion term to less than one (1) year giving highest priority to providing a safe school environment for all students. (Utah Code Ann. §§ 53G-8-205 & 208). 

The Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee may modify the suspension or expulsion requirement for a student on a case-by-case basis. 

If a student is found on school grounds when school is in session or at a school-sponsored activity in possession of a dangerous weapon and that information is reported to or known by a school employee, the school employee shall notify the principal. 

After receiving a notification under subsection 4.2, the principal shall notify

A law enforcement officer or agency; and

school or district personnel if the principal determines that school or district personnel should be informed. 

5. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

When disciplining a student with disabilities, an administrator must follow the requirements set forth in Nebo School District Policy JD, Student Conduct and Discipline.