Office of the Superintendent

Office of the Superintendent

Empowering Dreams for the Future TO: Board Members FROM: Chris Ragsdale DATE: May 14, 2015 SUBJECT: Modifications to Administrative Rules for May 28, 2015 Board Meeting

VIA EMAIL The Superintendent recommends the following revisions to Administrative Rules: Administrative Rule JCDA-R (Student Code of Conduct) Elementary, Middle and High School Versions Recent legislative action has required modification of our Student Code of Conduct in relation to cyberbullying and obtaining a Georgia driver’s license. Policy, Planning and Student Support recommends the following changes to the Student Code of Conduct:

1. Addition of language regarding cyber-bullying as addressed in HB 131. 2. Revision of language regarding relative to obtaining a Georgia driver’s license as addressed in SB

100 (Middle and High School version only). 3. Conforming language regarding assistant superintendents. 4. Revised language regarding social networks and physical violence.

Gregory, Doyle, Calhoun & Rogers has reviewed all suggested changes and concurs with Administration. Administration is providing this information in compliance with Board of Education Policy BDF (Review of Administrative Rules), which reads:

“The proposed Rule(s) shall be sent to the Board for their review in advance of issuance. Specifically, their review shall include at least the ten (10) days immediately prior to the next Board Work Session. If no objection is indicated by Board member(s) to the Chair prior to the adjournment of the Board Work Session, the Rule(s) shall be deemed accepted.”

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GREEN font indicates content from HB 131 BROWN font indicates content recommended by Policy, Planning and Student Support BLUE font indicated content from SB 100 YELLOW highlights indicate content recommended by Gregory, Doyle, Calhoun & Rogers

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE RULE

JCDA-R (High) Student Code of Conduct (High) 7/1/14 7/1/15

RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE: 1 2 The Cobb County School District (District) is dedicated to sound discipline practices in the 3 continuing effort to provide students in the District an effective and safe learning environment, to 4 promote learning, and to encourage maturity during the school day as well as during all school-5 related activities. The District also recognizes concerns for the welfare of students from their 6 entry on a school bus or school property to their return to the bus stop or when they leave school 7 property. Therefore, schools will take appropriate actions in an effort to provide students and staff 8 a safe and orderly environment. 9 10 11 RULE: 12 13 The following code provisions apply to offenses that students commit while on school property at 14 any time, engaging in or attending a school-sponsored event, or while using the school 15 technology resources, or in the case of cyberbullying, whether or not the electronic 16 communication originated on school property or with school equipment. As used in this 17 Code of Conduct: 18 A. School property includes, but is not limited to: 19

1. The land and improvements which constitute the school; 20 2. Any other property or building, including school bus stops, wherever located, where any 21

school function or activity is conducted; 22 3. Any bus or other vehicle used in connection with school functions and activities, including 23

but not limited to, school buses, buses leased by the District and privately- owned vehicles 24 used for transportation to and from school activities; and 25

4. Personal belongings, automobiles or other vehicles which are located on school property. 26 B. School technology resources includes, but is not limited to: 27

1. Electronic media systems such as computers, electronic networks, messaging, and Web 28 site publishing, and 29

2. The associated hardware and software programs used for purposes such as, but not 30 limited to, developing, retrieving, storing, disseminating, and accessing instructional, 31 educational, and administrative information. 32

33 Any and all violations of the Code of Conduct will be part of a student’s disciplinary record and 34 may be used in a student disciplinary hearing pursuant to the District’s progressive discipline 35 process. 36 37 The decision to charge a student for violation of this Code of Conduct shall be made by the 38 administration of the school. If the school administration is uncertain as to the interpretation of 39 the Code of Conduct they are to contact Student Support or their respective Area Leadership 40 and Learning Assistant Superintendent. 41 42 Suspension of a student from school for not more than ten (10) consecutive days is considered a 43 short-term suspension, not subject to formal rights of hearing or appeal. Although there are no 44 such rights guaranteed by law, parents/guardians may contact the Principal to discuss their child’s 45 discipline. 46

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47 48 49 50 51 52 I. DISCIPLINE LEVELS 53 54 A. Level 1 Discipline: 55

Level 1 discipline is used for minor acts of misconduct which interfere with the good order 56 of school. 57

Following appropriate teacher intervention, students may be referred to an administrator. 58 Consequences range from administrative conference to three (3) days of In-School-59

Suspension (ISS) and/or restitution. 60 B. Level 2 Discipline: 61

Level 2 discipline offenses are intermediate acts of misconduct. 62 Students should be referred to an administrator. 63 Consequences range from Saturday School and/or In-School Suspension (ISS) to five (5) 64

days Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) and/or restitution. 65 Repeated violations of any Level 2 offense may result in that violation being considered a 66

Level 3 offense which may result in long-term suspension/expulsion. 67 C. Level 3 Discipline: 68

Level 3 discipline offenses are serious acts of misconduct including, but not limited to, 69 repeated misbehaviors of a similar nature, serious disruptions of the school environment, 70 threats to health, safety, or property and other acts of serious misconduct. 71

Students must be referred to an administrator. Administrators will notify the appropriate 72 Area Leadership and Learning Assistant Superintendent, Student Support and the Cobb 73 County School District Department of Public Safety (Public Safety), as well as other law 74 enforcement agencies as deemed appropriate. Consequences range from out-of-school 75 suspension to permanent expulsion and may include referral to apply to the Alternative 76 Education Program (AEP). All students accepted in the District’s AEP will be on contract, 77 which will include behavior and attendance objectives. 78

NOTE: Any misconduct that threatens the health, safety, or well-being of others may 79 result in immediate suspension of the student from the school and/or school-80 sponsored activities for up to ten (10) school days, pending disciplinary 81 investigation of the allegations. 82

NOTE: Schools may recommend that a student be considered eligible to apply to attend 83 the AEP during his/her long-term suspension/expulsion. Upon this recommendation 84 or a decision of the District Hearing Officer/Panel, expelled/long-term suspended 85 students may attend AEP pursuant to a contract. If the student violates the terms 86 of the contract, he/she may forfeit the opportunity to attend the AEP during the 87 remainder of his/her expulsion or long-term suspension, pursuant to the Order of 88 the Hearing Officer/Panel and/or the terms of the contract. The student may appeal 89 his/her dismissal from the AEP to the District administrator for the supervision of 90 the AEP. The student may also receive further discipline, in addition to the 91 reinstatement of his/her expulsion or long-term suspension. 92

93 D. Removing Disruptive Students from the Classroom: 94

The Superintendent and Principals shall, and do, fully support the authority of every 95 teacher in his/her school(s) to remove a disruptive student from his/her class pursuant to 96 O.C.G.A. § 20-2-738. This code applies to a student who repeatedly or substantially 97 interferes with the teacher’s ability to communicate effectively with students in the class or 98 with the student’s classmates’ ability to learn where the student’s behavior is in violation 99 of the District Student Code of Conduct. 100

The teacher shall follow his/her school’s administrative referral guidelines and, when 101 necessary, the procedures outlined in Administrative Rule JDF-R (Teacher Authority to 102 Remove Students from Classroom). 103

104 E. Student Attendance Enrollment/Conduct Relative to Georgia Driver’s Licenses: 105

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In addition to penalties specified in this Code of Conduct for attendance and selected 106 conduct, students seventeen (17) years of age and younger may find their eligibility for a 107 Georgia instruction permit or driver’s license impacted by their school attendance and/or 108 conduct. 109

Students applying for an instruction permit or driver’s license must obtain from their 110 school a letter certifying that none of the following provisions apply to them at the time 111 the letter is generated or for the preceding year. Schools are required to report any child 112 fourteen (14) years of age or older who do not comply with the following provisions: 113

Has dropped out of school without graduating and has remained out of school for ten 114 (10) consecutive days; 115

Has more than ten (10) school days of unexcused absences in the current academic 116 year or 10 or more school days of unexcused absences in the previous academic year 117 (not including absences resulting from out-of-school suspension/expulsion); or 118

Has been found in violation by a Hearing Officer/Panel, has received a change in 119 placement for committing one of the following offenses or has waived his/her right to a 120 hearing and pleaded guilty to one of the following offenses: 121

Threatening, striking, or causing bodily harm to a teacher or other school 122 personnel; 123

Possession or sale of drugs or alcohol on school property or at a school sponsored 124 event; 125

Possession or use of a firearm in violation of O.C.G.A § 16-11-127.1 or possession 126 or use of a dangerous weapon as defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-121 but shall not 127 include any part of an exhibit brought to school in connection with a school project. 128 (See Part II, Paragraph Y. below) 129

Any sexual offense prohibited under Chapter 6 of Title 16 of the Georgia Code; or 130

Causing substantial or visible bodily harm to or seriously disfiguring another 131 person, including another student. 132

The issuance of driver’s licenses and permits to minors will be based on student 133 enrollment rather than school attendance. The Department of Driver Services (DDS) 134 shall not issue an instruction permit or driver’s license to a person who is younger than 135 18 years of age unless at the time such minor submits an application for an instruction 136 permit or driver’s license the records of the department indicate that said applicant is 137 enrolled in and not under suspension form school. Accordingly, the State Department 138 of Education will forward student enrollment, suspension and expulsion information 139 from the statewide student information system to DDS, which will issue licenses when 140 its records indicate that applicants are enrolled in school and not under suspension or 141 expulsion. Lastly, DDS shall notify such minor of his or her ineligibility for an 142 instruction permit or driver’s license at the time of such application. (O.C.G.A. § 40-5-143 22) 144 145 F. Truancy: 146

When a child is absent, parents, guardians, or other persons who have control of a child 147 enrolled in the District should comply with Administrative Rule JB-R (Student Attendance) and 148 school guidelines to report reasons for absences. Georgia law requires that after any student 149 accrues five (5) days of unexcused absences in a given school year, the parent, guardian, or 150 other person who has control or charge of that child shall be in violation of O.C.G.A. § 20-2-151 690.1(b). Any child that is subject to compulsory attendance who, during the school calendar 152 year, has more than five (5) days of unexcused absences is considered truant. The law states 153 the following: 154 155 “Any parent, guardian, or other person residing in this state who has control or charge of a 156 child or children and who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon 157 conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine of not less than $25.00 and not greater than 158 $100.00, or imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, community service, or any combination of 159 such penalties, at the discretion of the court having jurisdiction. Each day’s absence from 160 school in violation of this part after the child’s school system notifies the parent, guardian, or 161

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other person who has control or charge of a child of five unexcused days of absence for a child 162 shall constitute a separate offense.” 163 164 Schools will notify parents/guardians when a student has accumulated five (5) unexcused 165

absences. 166 Schools will also notify parents/guardians of students 14 years of age and older when the 167

student has accumulated seven (7) unexcused absences during the school year. 168 Possible consequences may also include disposition for unruly children in accordance with 169

O.C.G.A. § 15-11-67. 170 171

G. REPORTING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT: 172 In addition to discipline of students by the District, student conduct may be reported to 173 appropriate law enforcement authorities. The District encourages parents/guardians to inform 174 their children of the consequences, including potential criminal penalties, of underage sexual 175 conduct and crimes for which a minor can be tried as an adult. 176 177 178

II. STUDENT OFFENSES: 179 180 A student shall not violate any of the following rules of the Cobb County School District. Pursuant 181 to State requirements, disciplinary levels have been assigned to each offense. These levels 182 correspond to the disciplinary levels detailed above. However, Principals or designee working in 183 conjunction with Student Support or their Area Leadership and Learning Assistant 184 Superintendent may give greater discipline in egregious circumstances. 185 186 A. ALCOHOL/ILLEGAL DRUGS/INHALANTS: 187

1. No student shall possess, consume, transmit, store, or be under any degree of influence of 188 alcoholic beverages (including related products such as “near” beer, non- alcoholic beer, 189 and non-alcoholic wine coolers) and/or illegal drugs, narcotics, hallucinogens, 190 amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana, or any other substance listed under the Georgia 191 Controlled Substances Act or any substance believed by the student to be alcohol or an 192 illegal drug. Legal intoxication is not required for violation of this Code of Conduct. 193

2. No student shall possess, transmit, store, buy, sell, distribute or possess with intent to sell 194 any drug-related paraphernalia. (Level 2-3) 195

3. No student shall falsely present or identify a substance to be alcohol or an illegal drug. 196 (Level 2-3) 197

4. No student shall buy, sell, or otherwise distribute or possess with intent to distribute or 198 attempt to buy, sell, or otherwise distribute or possess with intent to distribute alcoholic 199 beverages, illegal drugs, narcotics, hallucinogens, amphetamines, barbiturates, or 200 marijuana, or any other substance listed under the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, or 201 any substance falsely identified as such, or is believed by the purchaser to be an alcoholic 202 beverage or illegal drug, narcotics, hallucinogens, amphetamines, barbiturates, or 203 marijuana, or any other substance listed under the Georgia Controlled Substances Act. 204

5. No student shall sniff or be under the influence of inhalants and/or other substances. 205 6. No student shall be in possession or under the influence of synthetic Cannabinoids such as 206

“K-2” (Also known as, Spice, Blayze II, RedBird, Mojo, VooDoo Magic, Spice Gold, Yucatan 207 Fire, Demon and Serenity.) 208 209

NOTE: Alcohol/Illegal Drug/Inhalant offenses are cumulative for grades 8-12. 210 211 Consequences for Possession or Personal Use: (A-1, A-5 and A-6 above) 212

First Offense: 213 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of school suspension. 214 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 215

long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 216 Notify the appropriate Area Leadership and Learning Assistant Superintendent. 217 Contact Public Safety. 218 Option: The student may reduce the out-of-school suspension by three days by 219

attending the Gaining Results in Intervention and Prevention (GRIP) Program 220

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consisting of one four hour Saturday session attended by the student and the parent, 221 or another comparable program approved by Prevention/Intervention. Failure to 222 successfully complete this program will result in the student serving the full length of 223 the suspension. 224

Second Offense: 225 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of school suspension plus a recommendation for long-226

term suspension for the remainder of the current semester. 227 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 228

expulsion for a specified time. 229 Notify the appropriate Area Leadership and Learning Assistant Superintendent. 230 Contact Public Safety. 231

Third Offense: 232 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 233

expulsion from school for a period of one (1) calendar year. 234 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 235

permanent expulsion. 236 Notify the appropriate Area Leadership and Learning Assistant Superintendent. 237 Contact Public Safety. 238

239 Consequences for Buying, Selling Distribution and Possession with Intent to Distribute: 240 (A-4 above) 241

First Offense: 242 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of school suspension plus a recommendation for long-243


expulsion for a specified time. 246 NOTE: Student shall have the option to attend GRIP but will not receive a reduced 247 suspension. 248

Notify the appropriate Area Leadership and Learning Assistant Superintendent. 249 Contact Public Safety. 250

Second Offense: 251 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for long-252

term suspension/expulsion for the remainder of the current school year. 253 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 254



expulsion for one (1) calendar year. 260 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 261


265 B. ATTENDANCE VIOLATIONS: 266

NOTE: Parking privileges may be revoked for attendance violations. 267 1. A student shall not be truant by failing to attend school in compliance with the Georgia 268

Compulsory Attendance Laws. (Level 1) 269 2. No student shall be tardy for a class or activity for which he/she is enrolled without a valid 270

excuse. (Level 1) 271 3. No student shall miss any class or activity for which he/she is enrolled without a valid 272

excuse. (Level 2) 273 4. Students shall not leave school grounds during the course of the regularly scheduled 274

school day without the permission of a parent/guardian and the Principal or designee. 275 Students must follow the established procedures for checking in or out of school. (Level 276 2) 277

278 C. BOMB THREATS: 279

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Bomb threat is defined as: Transmitting in any manner a false alarm to the effect that a 280 bomb or other explosive of any nature is concealed on school property creating a 281 potentially dangerous situation. 282 First Offense: 283

Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of school suspension. 284 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 285

long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 286 Contact Public Safety. 287



expulsion for one (1) calendar year. 292 Contact Public Safety. 293



permanent expulsion. 298 Contact Public Safety. 299

300 D. BULLETS, BB’S, PAINT BALL PELLETS: 301

Students may not possess ammunition, BB’s, paint pellets, or CO2 cartridges. These items are 302 disruptive to the function of the school and may pose a safety risk. (Level 1-3) 303

304 E. BUS BEHAVIORS: 305

Students shall follow all student behavior policies and regulations while at the bus stop and on 306 school-provided transportation including, but not limited to, the prohibitions on physical 307 violence, bullying, assault, battery, disrespectful conduct, or other unruly behavior. In 308 addition: 309 1. Students must keep all body parts inside the bus at all times. (Level 1-3 and/or 310

suspension from the bus for a specified time) 311 2. Nothing may be thrown into, within, out of, or at the bus. (Level 1-3 and/or 312

suspension from the bus for a specified time) 313 3. Bus Disruptions: 314

No student shall act in any manner so as to interfere with a driver’s ability to safely drive 315 the bus or another student’s ability to ride the bus without harassing or loud distractions. 316 Students must remain seated at all times unless directed by the driver. Students must 317 remain quiet at all railroad crossings. (Level 1-3 and/or suspension from the bus for 318 a specified time) 319

4. Emergency doors and windows are to be used only at the direction of the driver. (Level 320 1-3 and/or suspension from the bus for a specified time) 321

5. Students may not ride a bus or disembark a bus at a bus stop other than that assigned for 322 their residence without submitting a written request from their parent/guardian to the 323 Principal or designee for approval. (Level 1-3 and/or suspension from the bus for a 324 specified time) 325

6. Students shall not use any electronic devices during the operation of a school bus, 326 including but not limited to: cell phones; pagers; audible radios, tape players, and 327 compact disc players without headphones; or any other electronic device, that may 328 interfere with the bus' communication equipment or the driver's operation of the school 329 bus. Students may not use any electronic device to video or audio record while on school 330 provided transportation vehicles. (Level 1-3 and/or suspension from the bus for a 331 specified time) 332

7. Students shall not use mirrors, lasers, flashing lights, flash cameras, or any other lights or 333 reflective surfaces in a manner, which might interfere with the operation of the school bus. 334 (Level 1-3 and/or suspension from the bus for a specified time) 335

8. Students who commit sexual offenses, physical offenses against students, or physical 336 offenses against District employees (as defined elsewhere in this Code of Conduct) on the 337

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school bus will receive penalties for the offense(s) as specified in this Code of Conduct for 338 these offenses and may also be suspended from the bus for a specified time. 339

340 If a student has been found to have engaged in battery, acts of physical violence, 341 bullying or physical threats on the school bus, the student’s parent/guardian shall 342 be required to meet with the Principal or designee to execute a bus behavior 343 contract. Additional bus behaviors are addressed through the District’s Safe Rider 344 Program. 345

346 F. PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS/ELECTRONIC DEVICES: 347

1. Students shall not use, display, or turn on communication beepers, cellular phones, video 348 phones, or electronic devices during instructional time for non-instructional purposes and 349 without the express permission of the teacher. The Principal shall determine specified 350 times on campus when cell phones and other electronic devices may be used and will 351 publish this information in student handbooks, the school website, on posters, and/or by 352 other means. (Level 1) 353

2. Students shall not use personal technology resources to distribute or display inappropriate 354 material. Inappropriate material does not serve an instructional or educational purpose 355 and includes but is not limited to the following: 356 Is profane, vulgar, lewd, obscene, offensive, indecent, sexually explicit, pornographic 357

or threatening; 358 Advocates illegal or dangerous acts; 359 Causes disruption to the District, its employees or students; 360 Advocates violence; 361 Contains knowingly false, recklessly false, or defamatory information; or 362 Is otherwise harmful to minors as defined by the Children's Internet Protection Act. 363 Consequence: (Level 2-3 and contact Public Safety) 364

3. Students shall not use personal technology devices to access chat rooms/social networking 365 sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or My Space Snapchat during the regular 366 school day for non-instructional purposes and without the express permission of the 367 teacher. (Level 1-2) 368

4. Students shall not use audio or visual recording devices without the permission of a school 369 administrator or as permitted by Administrative Rule JG(1)-R (Monitoring-Recording Staff 370 and Students). This includes, but is not limited to, using recording devices to video, 371 photograph or record misbehaviors or to violate the privacy of others. (Level 1-3) 372

373 G. DISRESPECTFUL CONDUCT: 374

1. No student shall use any type of profane, vulgar, obscene or ethnically offensive language 375 (written or oral) or gestures. (Level 2-3) 376

2. No student shall possess or distribute profane, vulgar, pornographic, obscene, or ethnically 377 offensive materials. (Level 1-2) 378

3. A student shall not use profane, obscene, or abusive language (written or oral) or gestures 379 toward District personnel or other adults on school property or at school sponsored events. 380 (Level 2-3) 381

4. Insubordination: All students shall comply with reasonable directions or commands of all 382 authorized District personnel or designees. (Level 1-3) 383

5. All students shall comply with the directions of a staff member to remove themselves from 384 the location of a disruptive situation. (Level 1-3) 385

6. No student shall refuse to identify one's self upon request of any District 386 employee/designee. (Level 1-2) 387

7. No student shall repeatedly violate the school dress code. (Level 1-2) 388 8. No student shall fail to attend Saturday School, After School Detention or In-School-389

Suspension. (Level 1-2) 390 391 H. DISRUPTION OF SCHOOL: 392

1. Class Disruption: No students shall intentionally make noise or act in any other manner 393 so as to interfere with a teacher’s ability to conduct a class or a student’s ability to learn. 394 (Level 1-3) 395

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2. School Disruption: No student shall, in any manner, by the use of violence, force, noise, 396 coercion, threat, intimidation, fear, passive resistance, or any other conduct, intentionally 397 cause the disruption of any lawful mission, process or function of the school, or engage in 398 any such conduct for the purpose of causing the disruption or obstruction of any such 399 lawful mission, process or function. (Level 1-3) 400

3. Students shall not be on the campus of a school in which they are not enrolled during that 401 school’s hours or while that school is operational without permission from that school’s 402 administration. Students also may not enter a school building after hours without express 403 permission. (Level 2-3) 404

4. Students may not return to campus or attend any school function while on suspension. 405 (Level 2-3) 406

5. Students may not be present in an unauthorized area. (Level 1-2) 407 6. Students shall not occupy nor block the entrance/exit of any school building, gymnasium, 408

school grounds, properties or parts(s) thereof with the intent to deprive others of its use, 409 or when the effect thereof is to deprive others of such use. (Level 1-3) 410

7. Students shall not prevent or attempt to prevent the convening or continued functioning of 411 any school, class, activity or lawful meeting or assembly on the school campus. (Level 1-412 3) 413

8. Students shall not prevent students from attending a class or school activity. (Level 1-3) 414 9. No student shall, except under the direct instruction of the Principal, block normal 415

pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a school campus or adjacent grounds. (Level 1-3) 416 10. No student shall be involved in a serious verbal altercation that disrupts the school, class 417

or school activity. (Level 2-3) 418 419 I. FALSE REPORTS: 420

1. No student shall knowingly and willfully make false reports or statements whether orally or 421 in writing; falsely accuse other students of wrong actions; falsely accuse District 422 employees of wrong action or inappropriate conduct; falsify school records; or forge 423 signatures. (Level 1-3) 424

2. No student shall make false calls to emergency services or report false fire alarms which 425 create a potentially dangerous interruption to the normal school operation and to both the 426 physical and emotional well-being of students and staff. 427 a. False Call to Emergency Services: 428

No student shall knowingly make or cause a false call to emergency services to be 429 made. 430

First Offense: 431 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension. 432 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 433


Second Offense: 436 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of school suspension. 437 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 438


Third Offense: 441 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of school suspension plus a recommendation for 442

long-term suspension for the remainder of the current semester. 443 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 444

expulsion for a specified time. 445 Contact Public Safety. 446

b. False Fire Alarms: 447 No student shall knowingly give or cause a false fire alarm to be given. 448

First Offense: 449 Minimum of five (5) days of out-of-school suspension. 450 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 451


Second Offense: 454

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Third Offense: 459 Minimum of ten (10) days out-of-school suspension a recommendation for long-460



465 J. GAMBLING: 466

No student shall participate in any type of gambling activity as defined by state law or that 467 involves the wagering or betting of services, money or other items. (Level 1-2) 468

469 K. GANG RELATED ACTIVITY: 470

A “gang" is defined as any group or association of three or more persons, whether formal or 471 informal, which encourages, solicits, promotes, urges, counsels, furthers, advocates, 472 condones, assists, causes, advises, procures, or abets any illegal or disruptive activity or 473 behavior of any kind, whether on or off school campuses or school property. 474 1. No student shall engage in any activity while participating in a gang which interferes with 475

the orderly conduct of school activities, with discipline in the schools, or with the rights of 476 other students or faculty members. (Level 2-3) 477

2. No student shall display identified gang tattoos. (Level 2-3) 478 3. No student shall hold himself/herself out as a member of a gang. (Level 2-3) 479 4. No student shall recruit or solicit membership in any gang or gang-related organization. 480

(Level 2-3) 481 5. No student shall engage in any other gang-related behavior which is subversive to good 482

order and discipline in the schools, even though such behavior is not specified in the 483 preceding written rules. (Level 2-3) 484

485 NOTE: Gang Related Activity offenses are cumulative for grades 8-12. 486 487

L. HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, THREATS (VERBAL, WRITTEN OR ELECTRONIC), AND 488 BULLYING BEHAVIOR: 489 1. Harassment is defined as: 490

Intentional, substantial, and unreasonable verbal, physical or written contact that is 491 initiated, maintained, or repeated. No student shall engage in harassment, intimidation, or 492 abuse of or toward any other student(s), District employees or other adults for any reason. 493 This prohibition includes but is not limited to, harassment, intimidation or abuse of 494 students or others based on actual or perceived race, creed, color, national origin, religion, 495 sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or a physical characteristic. 496 (Level 2-3) 497

2. No student shall threaten, either verbally, in writing, electronically, or by physical 498 presence, expressed or implied, or conspire to cause bodily injury to any student, District 499 employee or non-District employee. (Level 2-3) 500

3. Bullying: 501 No student shall bully another student or students. Bullying behavior is defined as: 502

Willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person when accompanied 503 by an apparent present ability to do so or; 504

Intentionally exhibiting a display of force such as would give the victim reason 505 to fear or expect immediate bodily harm, or; 506

Any intentional written, verbal or physical act, which a reasonable person would 507 perceive as being intended to threaten, harass or intimidate that: 508

Causes substantial physical harm or bodily harm capable of being 509 perceived by a person other than the victim and may include, but is not 510 limited to, substantially blackened eyes, substantially swollen lips or 511 other facial or body parts, or substantial bruises to body parts; 512

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Has the effect of substantially interfering with the victim student’s 513 education; 514

Is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or 515 threatening educational environment; or 516

Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the 517 school. 518

519 Bullying behavior is also defined as cyberbullying which occur through the use of 520 electronic communication, whether or not such electronic act originated on 521 school property or with school equipment, if the electronic communication: 522

Is directed specifically at students or school personnel, 523 Is maliciously intended for the purpose of threatening the safety of 524

those specified or substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the 525 school, and 526

Creates a reasonable fear of harm to the students' or school personnel's 527 person or property or has a high likelihood of succeeding in that 528 purpose. 529

530 Minimum of five (5) days of out-of-school suspension. 531 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 532

permanent expulsion. 533 NOTE: If a third offense occurs within one school year, as determined by a hearing 534 officer/tribunal, the student shall be expelled for at least one calendar year, but 535 may be assigned to the AEP during this discipline. 536

537 Parents/guardians of students who are victims of bullying or are found to have committed 538 bullying behaviors will be notified via conference or letter/referral. Staff members should 539 report instances of these behaviors to school administration immediately so that 540 administrators may review them in a timely manner. 541

542 Employees, volunteers, students and parents/guardians/other persons that have control of 543 students may report or otherwise provide information on bullying activity to a school 544 administrator anonymously if they choose. No person who reports bullying behaviors will 545 be retaliated against by any school employee. Students who retaliate against others for 546 reports of bullying behavior are subject to discipline which may include enhanced 547 consequences. Students who knowingly file a false report of bullying will also be 548 disciplined. 549

550 M. INCENDIARY DEVICES: 551

No student shall possess, light, and/or discharge smoke bombs, stink bombs, fireworks, 552 cigarette lighters, matches, or similar devices. (Level 2) 553

554 N. OFF-CAMPUS OFFENSES: 555

Off-campus misconduct for which a student shall be disciplined includes, but is not limited to, 556 any off-campus conduct that is: 557

Prohibited by the Georgia or United States criminal codes; AND 558 Punishable as a FELONY or would be punishable as a felony if committed by an adult; 559

AND 560 Conduct for which a student has been arrested, indicted, adjudicated to have 561

committed, or convicted; AND 562 Conduct which makes the student’s continued presence at school a potential danger to 563

persons or property at the school or which disrupts the educational process. (Level 2-564 3 and contact Public Safety) 565

566 O. OTHER BEHAVIORS: 567

No student shall participate in any activity that is subversive to good order and discipline of 568 the school not specifically addressed in the other sections of this Code of Conduct (Possession 569 or use of counterfeit money or forged official school forms is included in this category). (Level 570 1-3) 571

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NOTE: Schools should contact Student Support prior to charging a student with this section. 572 573 P. OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION: 574

Possession of all over-the-counter medication on school property must be in compliance with 575 Administrative Rule JGCD-R (Medication). A student is prohibited from selling, distributing, or 576 possessing with intent to distribute any over-the-counter medication. Over the counter 577 medications specifically include, but are not limited to, nicotine replacement therapies such as 578 nicotine gum and candy, nicotine lozenges, nicotine patches, nicotine inhalers, nicotine nasal 579 sprays and the like. (Level 1-3) 580

581 Q. PARTIES TO THE OFFENSE: 582

No student shall urge, encourage, counsel, further, promote, assist, cause, advise, procure, or 583 abet any other student(s) to violate any section or paragraph of this Cobb County Code of 584 Conduct. (Level 1-3) 585

586 R. PHYSICAL OFFENSES: 587

Principals or designees will continue to exercise professional discretion in determining 588 incidents of horseplay, intentional spitting, physical altercation, fighting or physical bullying, or 589 self-defense as defined by Georgia law in O.C.G.A. § 16-3-21. Principals or designees will 590 have the authority to assign consequences based on behavior related to specific incidents. 591 This may include differentiated discipline assigned on a case by case basis. The minimum 592 consequences for prohibited behaviors will apply as noted in this Code of Conduct and other 593 District Administrative Rules. 594 595 NOTE: R-6, R-7, R-9 and R-10 offenses are cumulative for grades 8-12. 596 597 1. No student shall use any device, chemical, irritant, or substance in a manner inconsistent 598

with its intended or prescribed use, or in a manner designed to cause harm, physical 599 irritation, or allergic reaction. Examples include, but are not limited to, directing a laser 600 optical pointer or similar device at another person’s eyes, and applying "itching powder" or 601 like substances to another person. (Level 1-2) 602

2. Students may not possess or use any device designed to produce a mild electrical shock. 603 (Level 1-2) 604

3. Students shall not engage in rough or boisterous activities. (Level 1-2) 605 4. No student shall participate in any kind of physical altercation. (Level 2-3) 606 5. No student shall participate in any kind of physical harassment (This can include forms of 607

hazing [Administrative Rule JHC-R {School Clubs/Organizations and Student 608 Organizations}], intentionally spitting, shanking [i.e. intentionally exposing another 609 student’s undergarments]). (Level 2-3) 610

6. No student shall participate in any type of fighting. (Cumulative in Grades 8-12) 611 First Offense: 612

Minimum of five (5) days of out-of-school suspension. 613 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension. 614

Second Offense: 615 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension. 616 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 617

long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 618 Third and Subsequent Offenses of Fighting: 619

Minimum of ten (10) days out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 620 long-term suspension for the remainder of the current semester. 621

Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 622 permanent expulsion. 623

7. No student shall gang up with any student or students to physically attack another 624 student or other persons. (Cumulative in Grades 8-12) 625 First Offense: 626

Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension. 627 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 628


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Second and Subsequent Offenses: 631 Minimum of ten (10) days out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 632

long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 633 Maximum often (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 634


8. Physical Threat of a Student or a Person who is not a District Employee: 637 Physical Threat is defined as: when a student attempts to commit a violent injury to the 638 person of another; or commits an act which places another in reasonable apprehension of 639 immediately receiving a physical injury. 640 First Offense: 641

Minimum of five (5) days of out-of-school suspension. 642 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 643

long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 644 Second Offense: 645



Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 650 long-term suspension for the remainder of the current semester. 651

Maximum of ten (10) day of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 652 permanent expulsion. 653

9. Battery on a Student or a Person who is not a District Employee: (Cumulative in 654 Grades 8-12) 655 Battery is defined as when a student: intentionally causes physical harm to a person; or 656 causes or attempts to cause injury, or behaves in such a way as to cause physical injury to 657 a student. 658 First Offense: 659



Second Offense: 664 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 665



Third and Subsequent Offenses: 670 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 671



10. Physical Offenses upon District Employees: (Cumulative in Grades 8-12) 676 a. Physical Threat: 677

Physical Threat is defined as: when a student attempts to commit a violent injury to 678 the person of a staff member; or commits an act which places a staff member in 679 reasonable apprehension of immediately receiving a serious or violent injury. 680 Hearing: 681

If a student commits an act of physical threat (assault) upon a District employee, a 682 mandatory disciplinary hearing be held in accordance with Administrative Rule 683 JCEB-R (Student Hearing Procedure), regardless of the recommended discipline, 684 unless the hearing is waived. A disciplinary hearing regarding a recommendation 685 for a short-term out of school suspension (10 days OSS or less) may be waived by 686 the employee. A disciplinary hearing regarding a recommendation of long-term out-687 of-school suspension (11 days OSS or more) may be waived by both the employee 688 and the parent/guardian/student over 18. 689

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Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 697 expulsion for a specified time. 698



permanent expulsion. 703 b. Physical Violence Without Harm: 704

No student shall intentionally make physical contact commit an act of assault or 705 battery of an insulting or provoking nature with the person of a District employee, 706 unless such contact was in self-defense, as provided in Georgia law in O.C.G.A. § 16-3-707 21. 708 Hearing: 709

If a student commits an act of physical violence upon a District employee, a 710 mandatory disciplinary hearing shall be held in accordance with Administrative Rule 711 JCEB-R (Student Hearing Procedure), regardless of the recommended discipline, 712 unless the hearing is waived. A disciplinary hearing regarding a recommendation 713 for a short-term out of school suspension (10 days OSS or less) may be waived by 714 the employee. A disciplinary hearing regarding a recommendation of long-term out 715 of school suspension (11 days OSS or more) may be waived by both the employee 716 and the parent/guardian/student over 18. 717



Second and Subsequent Offenses: 723 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 724

long-term suspension for the remainder of the current semester. 725 Maximum of ten (10) says of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 726


c. Physical Violence With Harm: 729 No student shall intentionally make physical contact commit an act of assault or 730 battery, which causes physical harm to a District employee, unless such physical 731 contacts or physical harms were in self-defense, as provided in Georgia law in O.C.G.A. 732 § 16-3-21. 733 Hearing: 734

If a student commits an act of physical violence upon a District employee, a 735 mandatory disciplinary hearing shall be held in accordance with Administrative Rule 736 JCEB-R (Student Hearing Procedure), regardless of the recommended discipline, 737 unless the hearing is waived by both the parent/guardian/student over 18 and the 738 employee. 739

Ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for permanent 740 expulsion. 741

In accordance with Administrative JCEB-R (Student Hearing Procedure), the 742 Hearing Officer/Panel may allow an expelled student to apply to attend the AEP. 743

Contact Public Safety. 744 745

S. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: 746 No student shall be in possession of prescription medication not prescribed for the student. All 747 prescription medication prescribed for a student must be in compliance with Administrative 748

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Rule JGCD-R (Medication). In addition, a student shall not sell, distribute, or possess with 749 intent to distribute any prescribed medication on school property. (Level 2-3) 750 NOTE: If the prescription drug is a controlled substance under the Georgia Controlled 751 Substances Act, the student shall be found to have violated Section II, Paragraph A, 752

Alcohol/Illegal Drugs/Inhalants, and shall be disciplined according to that Section. 753 NOTE: Violations of this paragraph are cumulative in Grades 9-12. 754

755 T. PROPERTY RELATED OFFENSES: 756

NOTE: Parents/guardians and/or students will be held responsible for restitution of the full 757 value of any damaged or stolen property (Administrative Rule DFJ-R [District Property 758 Replacement/Restitution]). 759 1. No student shall intentionally cause substantial damage to personal property belonging to 760

a District employee or another student. (Level 2-3) 761 2. No student shall set fire to any private property or school property either while on school 762

grounds or off school grounds during a school activity, function, or event. (Level 2-3 and 763 contact Public Safety) 764

3. No student shall attempt to, threaten to, or actually damage, destroy, vandalize, or steal 765 private property or school property on school grounds. (Level 2-3 and contact Public 766 Safety) 767

4. No student shall attempt to, threaten to, or actually damage, destroy, vandalize, or steal 768 private property or school property off school grounds during a school activity, function or 769 event. (Level 2-3 and contact Public Safety) 770

5. No student shall possess stolen private property or school property on school grounds. 771 (Level 2-3 and contact Public Safety) 772

773 U. SEXUAL OFFENSES: 774

Sexual offenses are prohibited against members of the same sex as well as members of the 775 opposite sex. See Administrative Rule JCAC-R (Sexual Harassment Reporting and 776 Investigation), for further requirements, information and explanation. 777 1. Sexual Misconduct: 778

a. No student shall be engaged in amorous kissing, other inordinate displays of affection. 779 (Level 1-2) 780

b. No student shall consent to and participate in any form of sexual activity. (Level 2-3 781 and contact Public Safety) 782

c. No student shall expose one’s intimate body parts or “moon" in public. Intimate body 783 parts include the primary genital area, anus, groin, inner thighs, or buttocks of a male 784 or female and the breasts of a female. (Level 2-3) 785

d. No student shall commit any act of verbal, written, gesture-oriented, or physical sexual 786 misconduct on school property, school buses, at school-sponsored events, or while 787 using school technology resources. (Level 2-3) 788

2. Sexual Harassment: 789 NOTE: See Administrative Rule JCAC-R (Sexual Harassment Reporting and Investigation), 790 for further requirements, information and explanation. 791 a. No student shall participate in verbal or visual conduct of a sexual nature (including, 792

but not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually 793 offensive slurs, sexually offensive drawings, photographs or posters directed towards 794 another person) where there is a pattern of harassing behavior or a single significant 795 incident. (Level 2-3) 796

b. No student shall participate in physical conduct of a sexual nature (including, but not 797 limited to, unwelcome sexual advances or gestures) where there is a pattern of 798 harassing behavior or a single significant incident. (Level 2-3 and contact Public 799 Safety) 800

3. Sexual Battery: 801 Sexual battery is defined as a student intentionally making physical contact with the 802 intimate parts of the body of another person without the consent of that person. Intimate 803 body parts include the primary genital area, anus, groin, inner thighs, or buttocks of a 804 male or female and the breasts of a female. No student shall commit any act of sexual 805 battery on school property, school buses, or at school-sponsored events. 806 First Offense: 807

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long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 810 Notify the appropriate Area Leadership and Learning Assistant Superintendent. 811 Contact Public Safety. 812

Second Offense: 813 Minimum of ten (10) of days out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 814



Third and Subsequent Offenses: 820 Minimum of teen (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 821



4. Sexual Molestation: 827 Sexual molestation is defined as a student doing any immoral or indecent act to or in the 828 presence of another person, without that person's consent, with the intent to arouse or 829 satisfy the sexual desires of either the student or the other person. This includes a student 830 forcing another person to make physical contact with the student’s intimate body parts, as 831 defined in this Section. No student shall commit any act of sexual molestation or the 832 attempts thereof on school property, school buses, or at school-sponsored events. 833 First Offense: 834



Notify the appropriate Area Leadership and Learning Assistant Superintendent. 839 Contact Public Safety. 840 Any student found guilty of violating this provision will be subject to an 841

administrative placement to a different school, after the term of discipline has been 842 completed. Parents/guardians are responsible for transportation to the assigned 843 school. 844

Second or Subsequent Offenses: 845 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 846


permanent expulsion. 849 Notify the appropriate Area Leadership and Learning Assistant Superintendent. 850 Contact Public Safety. 851 Any student found guilty of violating this provision will be subject to an 852


856 V. STIMULANTS: 857

NOTE: If the stimulant is a controlled substance under the Georgia Controlled 858 Substances Act, the student shall be found to have violated Section II, Paragraph A, 859 Alcohol/Illegal Drugs/Inhalants, and shall be disciplined according to the Section. 860 861

A student shall not consume, possess, sell, distribute, or possess with intent to distribute diet 862 pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulant on school property. (Level 2-3) 863

864 W. DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY OFFENSES: 865

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All students using school technology must have a signed Internet use form (Form JCDA-3 866 [Receipt of the Parent Information Guide]) on file with the school. Unauthorized access and 867 prohibited behaviors are fully discussed and defined in Administrative Rule IFBG-R (Internet 868 Acceptable Use). School technology cannot be used for other than school related purposes. 869 1. Students will not purposely look for security problems because such action may be 870

considered an unauthorized attempt to gain access to school technology resources. 871 (Level 2-3 and contact Public Safety) 872

2. Students will not attempt to or disrupt the school technology resources by destroying, 873 altering or otherwise modifying technology. Hacking is strictly prohibited. (Level 3 and 874 contact Public Safety) 875

3. Students will not use school technology resources to solicit business, advertise, or engage 876 in any other selling activities in support of non-school related fund-raising or private 877 business enterprises. (Level 1-3) 878

4. Students will not engage in any activity that monopolizes, wastes or compromises school 879 technology resources. (Level 2-3) 880

5. Students will not copy computer programs, software or other technology provided by the 881 District for personal use. Downloading unauthorized files is strictly prohibited. (Level 1-882 3) 883

6. No student shall attempt to, threaten to, or actually damage, destroy, vandalize, or 884 steal private property or school property while using school technology resources on or off 885 school grounds. (Level 2-3, restitution and contact Public Safety) 886

7. Students will not use school technology resources to distribute nor display inappropriate 887 material. Inappropriate material does not serve an instructional or educational purpose 888 and includes but is not limited to the following: 889 Is profane, vulgar, lewd, obscene, offensive, indecent, sexually explicit, pornographic 890

or threatening; 891 Advocates illegal or dangerous acts; 892 Causes disruption to the District, its employees or students; 893 Advocates violence; 894 Contains knowingly false, recklessly false, or defamatory information; or 895 Is otherwise harmful to minors as defined by the Children's Internet Protection Act. 896 Penalty: (Level 2-3 and contact Public Safety) 897

8. Students shall not commit any other prohibited act discussed in Administrative Rule IFBG-898 R (Internet Acceptable Use). This includes any modification of school records. (Level 1-3) 899

9. Students may not use school technology devices to access chat rooms/social networking 900 sites such as Facebook, Twitter or My Space. (Level 1-2) 901

10. Students may not use audio or visual recording devices without the permission of a school 902 administrator or as permitted by Administrative Rule JG(1)-R (Monitoring-Recording Staff 903 and Students). This includes, but is not limited to, using recording devices to video or 904 record misbehaviors or to violate the privacy of others. (Level 1-3) 905

906 X. TOBACCO: 907

Student possession or use of tobacco or tobacco product substitutes (e.g., tobacco look-alikes, 908 such as BaccOff), cigarette look-alikes (e.g., electronic cigarettes), hookahs and hookah look-909 alikes (e.g. electronic hookahs) on school property and at school-sponsored events is 910 prohibited. 911 First Offense: Out-of-School Suspension for two (2) school days. 912 Second Offense: Out-of-School Suspension for three (3) school days. 913 Third and Subsequent Offenses: Out-of-School Suspension for five (5) school days. 914 915

Y. WEAPONS: 916 A student who wants to use a weapon or look-alike weapon in an exhibit, presentation, or 917 activity in a classroom or at a school-sponsored event must meet the following requirements: 918 Verbal approval of the teacher in whose class the weapon will be used; 919 Prior written permission from the Principal which includes a description of the weapons 920

authorized and the time period during which the weapons may be on campus; 921 Transport of the weapon or look-alike weapon to and from the school by the 922

parent/guardian of the student making the request; and 923

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The teacher or school administration storing the weapon or look-alike weapon in a secure 924 location when it is not being used in the above classroom activities. 925 926

Prohibition: A student shall not possess, handle, transmit, or cause to be transmitted; use or 927 threaten to use; sell, attempt to sell, or conspire to sell a weapon, either concealed or open to 928 view, on school property. A weapon includes a dangerous weapon, firearm or hazardous 929 object, as further defined below. All weapons shall be confiscated and given to Public Safety 930 or other law enforcement agencies as appropriate. The disposition of confiscated weapons 931 shall be determined by the superintendent or his/her designated school official, in conjunction 932 with law enforcement. 933 934 Note: The definition of "weapon" for purposes of this Code of Conduct is one that includes, 935 but is not limited to, the following items: 936 937 Category I Weapon - Dangerous Weapon or Firearm (Loaded or Unloaded): 938 To determine whether a second or third offense has occurred, violations shall be cumulative 939 beginning with violations occurring in or after the eighth grade and shall carry over from 940 grades 8 through 12. 941 942 Dangerous weapon means any weapon which fires explosive or non-explosive rockets or 943 weapon which is designed to explode to injure, kill, destroy armor, or similar weapon used for 944 such purpose as defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-121. 945 946 Firearm means a handgun, riffle, shotgun, or other weapon which will or can be converted to 947 expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or electrical charge. 948 949 First and Subsequent Offenses: 950

Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 951 expulsion for one (1) calendar year as provided for in Georgia law. 952

Maximum of ten (10) days out of school suspension plus a recommendation for 953 permanent expulsion. 954

The hearing officer, tribunal, panel, principal, Superintendent or Cobb County Board of 955 Education has the authority to modify these expulsion requirements on a case-by-case 956 basis. 957

Notify the appropriate Area Leadership and Learning Assistant Superintendent and 958 Policy, Planning and Student Support. 959

Contact Public Safety. 960 961 Category II Weapon – Hazardous Object: 962 To determine whether a second or third offense has occurred, violations shall be cumulative 963 beginning with violations occurring in or after the eighth grade and shall carry over from 964 grades 8 through 12. 965 966 Hazardous object means any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, any other 967 knife having a blade of two or more inches, straight-edge razor, razor blade, spring stick, 968 knuckles, whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material, blackjack, 969 any bat, club, or other bludgeon-type weapon, or any flailing instrument consisting of two or 970 more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be 971 known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain, or any disc, of 972 whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be 973 thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart, or any 974 instrument of like kind, any nonlethal air gun, and any stun gun or taser as defined O.C.G.A. § 975 16-11-106 or any tool or instrument which the school administration could reasonably 976 conclude as being used as a weapon or intended by the student to be used as a weapon and 977 thus a violation of the intent of this Code of Conduct. 978 First Offense: 979


permanent expulsion. 982

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Contact Public Safety. 983 Second and Subsequent Offenses: 984

Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for long-985 term suspension for the remainder of the current semester. 986


Contact Public Safety. 989 990 Category III Weapon: 991 Any knife or instrument having a blade of less than two inches, any "look-alike" firearm, or 992 plastic disposable razor or sling shot. 993 First Offense: 994

Minimum of five (5) day of out-of-school suspension. 995 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 996


Second and Subsequent Offenses: 999 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation long-1000

term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 1001 Maximum of ten (10) day out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 1002


1005 Note: For items such as smoke bombs, stink bombs, fireworks, cigarette lighters, matches, or 1006 similar devices see Paragraph M. above. 1007

1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 III. CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS: 1014 1015 The names of student clubs and organizations, as defined by Administrative Rule JHC-R (School 1016 Clubs/Organizations and Student Organizations) the mission or purpose of such clubs or 1017 organizations, the names of the club's or organization's contacts or faculty advisors, and a 1018 description of past or planned activities will be available in student handbooks, school-provided 1019 information and/or on school Websites for each school. This information is updated periodically 1020 throughout the year and is available on the school's Website, which may be accessed at 1021 www.cobbk12.org, and/or the school's administrative office. Also see Administrative Rule IDE-R 1022 (Co-Curricular Activities) and Administrative Rule IDF-R (Interscholastic Activities). 1023 1024 1025 Adopted: 7/9/80 1026 Revised: 4/13/83; 8/8/84; 6/28/90; 5/23/91; 5/28/92; 11/11/92; 5/27/93; 8/10/94; 6/14/95; 6/27/96; 6/26/97; 1027 5/28/98; 10/28/99, 5/25/00, 9/18/00; 5/24/01: 6/27/02, 6/26/03; 6/9/04 1028 Reclassified an Administrative Rule: 9/1/04 1029 Revised: 6/21/05; 7/1/06; 7/1/07; 7/1/08; 7/1/09, 6/9/10, 6/8/11; 6/13/12 1030 Revised and Re-coded: 7/1/13 1031 Revised: 6/11/14; 7/1/14; 7/1/15 1032 1033 Legal Reference 1034 O.C.G.A. 20-2-1126 Written policies and procedures for operation of school buses; receipt of code of conduct by 1035

students; acknowledgement by parent or guardians 1036 O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.4 Policies prohibiting bullying; assignment to alternative school; notice 1037 O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.5 Required provisions for student code of conduct 1038 O.C.G.A. 16-11-37 Terroristic threats and acts 1039 O.C.G.A. 16-11-37.1 Dissemination of information relating to terroristic acts 1040 O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.7 Student reporting of inappropriate behavior by teacher/staff 1041 O.C.G.A. 16-11-37 Terroristic threats and acts; penalties 1042 O.C.G.A. 20-2-735 Adoption of policies by LBOEs to improve student learning environment 1043 O.C.G.A. 20-2-736 Student codes of conduct; distribution 1044 O.C.G.A. 20-2-737 Reports by teacher of violations of student code of conduct; parental notice 1045

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O.C.G.A. 20-2-738 Authority of teacher to remove student from classroom; procedures 1046 Rule 160-4-8-.15 Student Discipline 1047

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GREEN font indicates content from HB 131 BROWN font indicates content recommended by Policy, Planning and Student Support BLUE font indicated content from SB 100 YELLOW highlights indicate content recommended by Gregory, Doyle, Calhoun & Rogers


JCDA-R (Middle) Student Code of Conduct (Middle) 7/1/14 7/1/15




but not limited to, school buses, buses leased by the District and privately- owned vehicles 24 used for transportation to and from school activities; and 25




33 Any and all violations of the Code of Conduct will be part of a student’s disciplinary record and 34 may be used in a student disciplinary hearing pursuant to the District’s progressive discipline 35 process. 36 37 The decision to charge a student for violation of this Code of Conduct shall be made by the 38 administration of the school. If the school administration is uncertain as to the interpretation of 39 the Code of Conduct they are to contact Student Support or their respective Area Leadership 40 and Learning Assistant Superintendent. 41 42 Suspension of a student from school for not more than ten (10) consecutive days is considered a 43 short-term suspension, not subject to formal rights of hearing or appeal. Although there are no 44

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such rights guaranteed by law, parents/guardians may contact the Principal to discuss their child’s 45 discipline. 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 I. DISCIPLINE LEVELS 53 54 A. Level 1 Discipline: 55


Following appropriate teacher intervention, students may be referred to an administrator. 58 Consequences range from administrative conference to three (3) days of In-school 59

Suspension (ISS) and/or restitution. 60 B. Level 2 Discipline: 61

Level 2 discipline offenses are intermediate acts of misconduct. 62 Students should be referred to an administrator. 63 Consequences range from In-School Suspension (ISS) to five (5) days Out-of-School 64

Suspension (OSS) and/or restitution. 65 Repeated violations of any Level 2 offense may result in that violation being considered a 66

Level 3 offense which may result in long term suspension/expulsion. 67 C. Level 3 Discipline: 68


Students must be referred to an administrator. Administrators will notify the appropriate 72 Area Leadership and Learning Assistant Superintendent, Student Support and the Cobb 73 County School District Department of Public Safety (Public Safety), as well as other law 74 enforcement agencies as deemed appropriate. Consequences range from out-of-school 75 suspension to permanent expulsion and may include referral to apply to the Alternative 76 Education Program (AEP). All students accepted in the District’s AEP will be on contract, 77 which will include behavior and attendance objectives. 78


NOTE: Schools may recommend that a student be considered eligible to apply to attend 83 the AEP during his/her long-term suspension/expulsion. Upon this recommendation 84 or a decision of the District Hearing Officer/Panel, expelled/long-term suspended 85 students may attend AEP pursuant to a contract. If the student violates the terms 86 of the contract, he/she may forfeit the opportunity to attend the AEP during the 87 remainder of his/her expulsion or long-term suspension, pursuant to the Order of 88 the Hearing Officer/Panel and/or the terms of the contract. The student may appeal 89 his/her dismissal from the AEP to the District administrator for the supervision of 90 the AEP. The student may also receive further discipline, in addition to the 91 reinstatement of his/her expulsion or long-term suspension. 92



The teacher shall follow his/her school administrative referral guidelines and, when 101 necessary, the procedures outlined in Administrative Rule JDF-R (Teacher Authority to 102 Remove Students from Classroom). 103

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104 E. Student Attendance Enrollment/Conduct Relative to Georgia Driver’s Licenses: 105

In addition to penalties specified in this Code of Conduct for attendance and selected 106 conduct, students seventeen (17) years of age and younger may find their eligibility for a 107 Georgia instruction permit or driver’s license impacted by their school attendance and/or 108 conduct. 109

Students applying for an instruction permit or driver’s license must obtain from their 110 school a letter certifying that none of the following provisions apply to them at the time 111 the letter is generated or for the preceding year. Schools are required to report any child 112 fourteen (14) years of age or older who do not comply with the following provisions: 113

Has dropped out of school without graduating and has remained out of school for ten 114 (10) consecutive days; 115

Has more than ten (10) school days of unexcused absences in the current academic 116 year or 10 or more school days of unexcused absences in the previous academic year 117 (not including absences resulting from out-of-school suspension/expulsion); or 118

Has been found in violation by a Hearing Officer/Panel, has received a change in 119 placement for committing one of the following offenses or has waived his/her right to a 120 hearing and pleaded guilty to one of the following offenses: 121

Threatening, striking, or causing bodily harm to a teacher or other school 122 personnel; 123

Possession or sale of drugs or alcohol on school property or at a school sponsored 124 event; 125

Possession or use of a firearm in violation of O.C.G.A § 16-11-127.1 or possession 126 or use of a dangerous weapon as defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-121 but shall not 127 include any part of an exhibit brought to school in connection with a school project. 128 (See Part II, Paragraph Y. below) 129

Any sexual offense prohibited under Chapter 6 of Title 16 of the Georgia Code; or 130

Causing substantial or visible bodily harm to or seriously disfiguring another 131 person, including another student. 132

The issuance of driver’s licenses and permits to minors will be based on student 133 enrollment rather than school attendance. The Department of Driver Services (DDS) 134 shall not issue an instruction permit or driver’s license to a person who is younger than 135 18 years of age unless at the time such minor submits an application for an instruction 136 permit or driver’s license the records of the department indicate that said applicant is 137 enrolled in and not under suspension form school. Accordingly, the State Department 138 of Education will forward student enrollment, suspension and expulsion information 139 from the statewide student information system to DDS, which will issue licenses when 140 its records indicate that applicants are enrolled in school and not under suspension or 141 expulsion. Lastly, DDS shall notify such minor of his or her ineligibility for an 142 instruction permit or driver’s license at the time of such application. (O.C.G.A. § 40-5-143 22) 144 145 F. Truancy: 146

When a child is absent, parents, guardians, or other persons who have control of a child 147 enrolled in the District should comply with Administrative Rule JB-R (Student Attendance) and 148 school guidelines to report reasons for absences. Georgia law requires that after any student 149 accrues five (5) days of unexcused absences in a given school year, the parent, guardian, or 150 other person who has control or charge of that child shall be in violation of O.C.G.A. § 20-2-151 690.1(b). Any child that is subject to compulsory attendance who, during the school calendar 152 year, has more than five (5) days of unexcused absences is considered truant. The law states 153 the following: 154 155 “Any parent, guardian, or other person residing in this state who has control or charge of a 156 child or children and who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon 157 conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine of not less than $25.00 and not greater than 158 $100.00, or imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, community service, or any combination of 159 such penalties, at the discretion of the court having jurisdiction. Each day’s absence from 160

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school in violation of this part after the child’s school system notifies the parent, guardian, or 161 other person who has control or charge of a child of five unexcused days of absence for a child 162 shall constitute a separate offense.” 163 164 Schools will notify parents/guardians when a student has accumulated five (5) unexcused 165

absences. 166 Schools will also notify parents/guardians of students 14 years of age and older when the 167


O.C.G.A. § 15-11-67. 170 171

G. REPORTING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT: 172 In addition to discipline of students by the District, student conduct may be reported to 173 appropriate law enforcement authorities. The District encourages parents/guardians to inform 174 their children of the consequences, including potential criminal penalties, of underage sexual 175 conduct and crimes for which a minor can be tried as an adult. 176 177 178


1. No student shall possess, consume, transmit, store, or be under any degree of influence of 188 alcoholic beverages (including related products such as "near" beer, non- alcoholic beer, 189 and non-alcoholic wine coolers) and/or illegal drugs, narcotics, hallucinogens, 190 amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana, or any other substance listed under the Georgia 191 Controlled Substances Act or any substance believed by the student to be alcohol or an 192 illegal drug. Legal intoxication is not required for violation of this Code of Conduct. 193





“K-2” (Also known as, Spice, Blayze II, RedBird, Mojo, VooDoo Magic, Spice Gold, Yucatan 207 Fire, Demon and Serenity.) 208

209 NOTE: Alcohol/Illegal Drug/Inhalant offenses are cumulative for grades 6-8 and grades 210 8-12. 211 212 Consequences for Possession or Personal Use: (A-1, A-5 and A-6 above) 213

First Offense: 214 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of school suspension. 215 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 216

long-term suspension/ expulsion for a specified time. 217 Notify the appropriate Area Leadership and Learning Assistant Superintendent. 218 Contact Public Safety. 219

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Option: The student may reduce the out-of-school suspension by three days by 220 attending the Gaining Results in Intervention and Prevention GRIP Program consisting 221 of one four hour Saturday session attended by the student and the parent, or another 222 comparable program approved by Prevention/Intervention. Failure to successfully 223 complete this program will result in the student serving the full length of the 224 suspension. 225





expulsion from school for a period of one (1) calendar year. 235 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 236


240 Consequences for Buying, Selling, Distribution and Possession with Intent to Distribute: 241 (A-4 above) 242

First Offense: 243 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of school suspension plus a recommendation for long-244


expulsion for a specified time. 247 NOTE: Student shall have the option to attend GRIP but will not receive a reduced 248 suspension. 249


Second Offense: 252 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for long-253

term suspension for at least the remainder of the current semester. 254 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 255

long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time 256 Notify the appropriate Area Leadership and Learning Assistant Superintendent. 257 Contact Public Safety. 258


expulsion from school for a period of one (1) calendar year. 261 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension with a recommendation for 262



1. A student shall not be truant by failing to attend school in compliance with the Georgia 268 Compulsory Attendance Laws. (Level 1) 269

2. No student shall be tardy for a class or activity for which he/she is enrolled without a valid 270 excuse. (Level 1) 271

3. No student shall miss any class or activity for which he/she is enrolled without a valid 272 excuse. (Level 2) 273

4. Students shall not leave school grounds during the course of the regularly scheduled 274 school day without the permission of a parent/guardian and the Principal or designee. 275 Students must follow the established procedures for checking in or out of school. (Level 276 2) 277

278

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C. BOMB THREATS: 279 Bomb threat is defined as: Transmitting in any manner a false alarm to the effect that a 280 bomb or other explosive of any nature is concealed on school property creating a 281 potentially dangerous situation. 282 First Offense: 283





expulsion for one (1) calendar year. 292 Contact Public Safety. 293


expulsion from school for one (1) calendar year. 296 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 297











6. Students shall not use any electronic devices during the operation of a school bus, 326 including but not limited to: cell phones; pagers; audible radios, tape players, and 327 compact disc players without headphones; or any other electronic device that may 328 interfere with the bus' communication equipment or the driver's operation of the school 329 bus. Students may not use any electronic device to video or audio record while on school 330 provided transportation vehicles. (Level 1-3 and/or suspension from the bus for a 331 specified time) 332


8. Students who commit sexual offenses, physical offenses against students, or physical 336 offenses against District employees (as defined elsewhere in this Code of Conduct) on the 337

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school bus will receive penalties for the offense(s) as specified in this Code of Conduct for 338 these offenses and may also be suspended from the bus for a specified time. 339



1. Students shall not use, display, or turn on communication beepers, cellular phones, video 348 phones, or electronic devices during instructional time, class change time, breakfast or 349 lunch. The Principal shall determine specified times on campus when electronic devices 350 may be used for instructional purposes. (Level 1) 351






1. No student shall use any type of profane, vulgar, obscene or ethnically offensive language 373 (written or oral) or gestures. (Level 2-3) 374





6. No student shall refuse to identify one's self upon request of any District 384 employee/designee. (Level 1-2) 385

7. No student shall repeatedly violate the school dress code. (Level 1-2) 386 8. No student shall fail to attend In-School-Suspension. (Level 1-2) 387

388 H. DISRUPTION OF SCHOOL: 389


2. School Disruption: No student shall, in any manner, by the use of violence, force, noise, 393 coercion, threat, intimidation, fear, passive resistance, or any other conduct, intentionally 394 cause the disruption of any lawful mission, process or function of the school, or engage in 395

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any such conduct for the purpose of causing the disruption or obstruction of any such 396 lawful mission, process or function. (Level 1-3) 397










2. No student shall make false calls to emergency services including false fire alarms which 422 create a potentially dangerous interruption to the normal school operation and to both the 423 physical and emotional well-being of students and staff. 424 a. False Call to Emergency Services: 425

No student shall knowingly make or cause a false call to emergency services to be 426 made. 427





Third Offense: 438 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of school suspension plus a recommendation for 439







long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 454

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Contact Public Safety. 455 Third Offense: 456

Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of school suspension plus a recommendation for 457 long-term suspension for the remainder of the current semester. 458

Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 459 expulsion for a specified time. 460

Contact Public Safety. 461 462 J. GAMBLING: 463



A “gang" is defined as any group or association of three or more persons, whether formal or 468 informal, which encourages, solicits, promotes, urges, counsels, furthers, advocates, 469 condones, assists, causes, advises, procures, or abets any illegal or disruptive activity or 470 behavior of any kind, whether on or off school campuses or school property. 471 1. No student shall engage in any activity while participating in a gang which interferes with 472

the orderly conduct of school activities, with discipline in the schools, or with the rights of 473 other students or faculty members. (Level 2-3) 474



order and discipline in the schools, even though such behavior is not specified in the 480 preceding written rules. (Level 2-3) 481 482

NOTE: Gang Related Activity offenses are cumulative for grades 6-8 and grades 8-483 12. 484 485

L. HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, THREATS (VERBAL, WRITTEN OR ELECTRONIC), AND 486 BULLYING BEHAVIOR: 487 1. Harassment is defined as: 488

Intentional, substantial, and unreasonable verbal, physical or written contact that is 489 initiated, maintained, or repeated. No student shall engage in harassment, intimidation, or 490 abuse of or toward any other student(s), District employees or other adults for any 491 reason. This prohibition includes but is not limited to, harassment, intimidation or abuse of 492 students or others based on actual or perceived race, creed, color, national origin, religion, 493 sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or a physical characteristic. 494 (Level 2-3) 495


3. Bullying: 499 No student shall bully another student or students. 500 Bullying behavior is defined as: 501






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529 Minimum of five (5) days of out-of-school suspension. 530 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 531

permanent expulsion. 532 NOTE: If a third offense occurs within one school year, as determined by a hearing 533 officer/tribunal, the student shall be expelled for at least one calendar year, but 534 may be assigned to the AEP during this discipline. 535

536 Parents/guardians of students who are victims of bullying or are found to have committed 537 bullying behaviors will be notified via conference or letter/referral. Staff members should 538 report instances of these behaviors to school administration immediately so that 539 administrators may review them in a timely manner. 540











No student shall participate in any activity that is subversive to good order and discipline of 567 the school not specifically addressed in the other sections of this Code of Conduct (Possession 568 or use of counterfeit money or forged official school forms is included in this section). (Level 569 1-3) 570 NOTE: Schools should contact Student Support prior to charging a student with this section. 571

572

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P. OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION: 573 Possession of all over-the-counter medication on school property must be in compliance with 574 Administrative Rule JGCD-R (Medication). A student is prohibited from selling, distributing, or 575 possessing with intent to distribute any over-the-counter medication. Over the counter 576 medications specifically include, but are not limited to, nicotine replacement therapies such as 577 nicotine gum and candy, nicotine lozenges, nicotine patches, nicotine inhalers, nicotine nasal 578 sprays and the like. (Level 1-3) 579




Principals or designees will continue to exercise professional discretion in determining 587 incidents of horseplay, intentional spitting, physical altercation, fighting or physical bullying, or 588 self-defense as defined by Georgia law in O.C.G.A. § 16-3-21. Principals or designees will 589 have the authority to assign consequences based on behavior related to specific incidents. 590 This may include differentiated discipline assigned on a case by case basis. The minimum 591 consequences for prohibited behaviors will apply as noted in this Code of Conduct and other 592 District Administrative Rules. 593 594 NOTE: R-6, R-7, R-9 and R10 offenses are cumulative for grades 6-8 and grades 8-595 12. 596 597 1. No student shall use any device, chemical, irritant, or substance in a manner inconsistent 598





6. No student shall participate in any type of fighting. (Cumulative in Grades 6-8 and 8-611 12) 612 First Offense: 613

Minimum of three (3) days of out-of-school suspension. 614 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension. 615

Second Offense: 616 Minimum of five (5) days of out-of-school suspension. 617 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 618



permanent expulsion. 623 7. No student shall gang up with any student or students to physically attack another 624

student or other persons. (Cumulative in Grades 6-8 and 8-12) 625 First Offense: 626



Second and Subsequent Offenses: 631

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8. Physical Threat of a Student or a Person who is not a District Employee: 636 Physical Threat is defined as: when a student attempts to commit a violent injury to the 637 person of another; or commits an act which places another in reasonable apprehension of 638 immediately receiving a physical injury. 639 First Offense: 640

Minimum of three (3) days of out-of-school suspension. 641 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 642


Minimum of five (5) days out-of-school suspension. 645 Maximum of ten (10) days out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 646



long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 651 9. Battery on a Student or a Person who is not a District Employee: (Cumulative in 652

Grades 6-8 and 8-12) 653 Battery is defined as when a student: intentionally causes physical harm to a person; or 654 causes or attempts to cause injury, or behaves in such a way as to cause physical injury to 655 a student. 656 First Offense: 657



Second Offense: 662 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 663






10. Physical Offenses upon District Employees: (Cumulative in Grades 6-8 and 8-12) 674 a. Physical Threat: 675

Physical Threat is defined as: when a student attempts to commit a violent injury to 676 the person of a staff member; or commits an act which places a staff member in 677 reasonable apprehension of immediately receiving a serious or violent injury. 678 Hearing: 679

If a student commits an act of physical threat (assault) upon a District employee, a 680 mandatory disciplinary hearing be held in accordance with Administrative Rule 681 JCEB-R (Student Hearing Procedure), regardless of the recommended discipline, 682 unless the hearing is waived. A disciplinary hearing regarding a recommendation 683 for a short-term out of school suspension (10 days OSS or less) may be waived by 684 the employee. A disciplinary hearing regarding a recommendation of long-term out 685 of school suspension (11 days OSS or more) may be waived by both the employee 686 and the parent/guardian. 687

First Offense: 688 Minimum of five (5) days of out-of-school suspension. 689

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Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 690 long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 691


long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 695 Third and Subsequent Offenses: 696


Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation of 699 expulsion for a specified time. 700

b. Physical Violence Without Harm: 701 No student shall intentionally make physical contact commit an act of assault or 702 battery of an insulting or provoking nature with the person of a District employee, 703 unless such contact was in self-defense, as provided in Georgia law in O.C.G.A. § 16-3-704 21. 705 Hearing: 706

If a student commits an act of physical violence upon a District employee, a 707 mandatory disciplinary hearing shall be held in accordance with Administrative Rule 708 JCEB-R (Student Hearing Procedure), regardless of the recommended discipline, 709 unless the hearing is waived. A disciplinary hearing regarding a recommendation 710 for a short-term out of school suspension (10 days OSS or less) may be waived by 711 the employee. A disciplinary hearing regarding a recommendation of long-term out 712 of school suspension (11 days OSS or more) may be waived by both the employee 713 and the parent/guardian/student over 18. 714



Second Offense: 720 Minimum of ten (10) days out-of-school suspension. 721 Maximum of ten (10) days out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 722



long-term suspension/expulsion for the remainder of the current school year. 727 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 728


c. Physical Violence With Harm: 731 No student shall intentionally make physical contact commit an act of assault or 732 battery, which causes physical harm to a District employee, unless such physical 733 contacts or physical harms were in self-defense, as provided in Georgia law in O.C.G.A. 734 § 16-3-21. 735 Hearing: 736

If a student commits an act of physical violence upon a District employee, a 737 mandatory disciplinary hearing shall be held in accordance with Administrative Rule 738 JCEB-R (Student Hearing Procedure), regardless of the recommended discipline, 739 unless the hearing is waived by both the parent/guardian/student over 18 and the 740 employee. 741

Ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for permanent 742 expulsion. 743

In accordance with Administrative Rule JCEB-R (Student Hearing Procedure), the 744 Hearing Officer/Panel may allow an expelled student to apply to attend the AEP on 745 a contract. 746

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Upon recommendation of the Hearing Officer/Panel, a student who is permanently 747 expelled during middle school may be readmitted to the regular education program 748 for grades 9-12. (O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.6). 749

Contact Public Safety. 750 751

S. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: 752 No student shall be in possession of prescription medication not prescribed for the student. All 753 prescription medication prescribed for a student must be in compliance with Administrative 754 Rule JGCD-R (Medication). In addition, a student shall not sell, distribute, or possess with 755 intent to distribute any prescribed medication on school property. (Level 2-3) 756 NOTE: If the prescription drug is a controlled substance under the Georgia Controlled 757

Substances Act, the student shall be found to have violated Section II, Paragraph A, 758 Alcohol/Illegal Drugs/Inhalants, and shall be disciplined according to that Section. 759

NOTE: Violations of this paragraph are cumulative in Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12. 760 761 T. PROPERTY RELATED OFFENSES: 762















b. No student shall participate in physical conduct of a sexual nature (including, but not 803 limited to, unwelcome sexual advances or gestures) where there is a pattern of 804

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harassing behavior or a single significant incident. (Level 2-3 and contact Public 805 Safety) 806

3. Sexual Battery: 807 Sexual battery is defined as a student intentionally making physical contact with the 808 intimate parts of the body of another person without the consent of that person. Intimate 809 body parts include the primary genital area, anus, groin, inner thighs, or buttocks of a 810 male or female and the breasts of a female. No student shall commit any act of sexual 811 battery on school property, school buses, or at school-sponsored events. 812 First Offense: 813






long-term suspension/expulsion for the remainder of the current school year. 827 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 828


4. Sexual Molestation: 832 Sexual molestation is defined as a student doing any immoral or indecent act to or in the 833 presence of another person, without that person's consent, with the intent to arouse or 834 satisfy the sexual desires of either the student or the other person. This includes a student 835 forcing another person to make physical contact with the student’s intimate body parts, as 836 defined in this Section. No student shall commit any act of sexual molestation or the 837 attempts thereof on school property, school buses, or at school-sponsored events. 838 First Offense: 839

Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 840 long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time and a referral to 841 Prevention/Intervention. 842




Second or Subsequent Offenses: 851 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 852


expulsion for permanent expulsion. 855 Notify the appropriate Area Leadership and Learning Assistant Superintendent. 856 Contact Public Safety. 857 Any student found guilty of violating this provision will be subject to an 858



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870 W. DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY OFFENSES: 871







6. No student shall attempt to, threaten to, or actually damage, destroy, vandalize, or steal 890 private property or school property while using school technology resources on or off 891 school grounds. (Level 2-3, restitution and contact Public Safety) 892






912 X. TOBACCO: 913

Student possession or use of tobacco or tobacco product substitutes (e.g., tobacco look-alikes, 914 such as BaccOff), cigarette look-alikes (e.g., electronic cigarettes), hookahs and hookah look-915 alikes (e.g. electronic hookahs) on school property and at school-sponsored events is 916 prohibited. 917 First Offense: Out-of-School Suspension for two (2) school days. 918 Second Offense: Out-of-School Suspension for three (3) school days. 919 Third and Subsequent Offenses: Out-of-School Suspension for five (5) school days. 920 921

Y. WEAPONS: 922

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A student who wants to use a weapon or look-alike weapon in an exhibit, presentation, or 923 activity in a classroom or at a school-sponsored event must meet the following requirements: 924 Verbal approval of the teacher in whose class the weapon will be used; 925 Prior written permission from the Principal which includes a description of the weapons 926

authorized and the time period during which the weapons may be on campus; 927 Transport of the weapon or look-alike weapon to and from the school by the 928

parent/guardian of the student making the request; and 929 The teacher or school administration storing the weapon or look-alike weapon in a secure 930

location when it is not being used in the above classroom activities. 931 932

Prohibition: A student shall not possess, handle, transmit, or cause to be transmitted; use or 933 threaten to use; sell, attempt to sell, or conspire to sell a weapon, either concealed or open to 934 view, on school property. A weapon includes a dangerous weapon, firearm or hazardous 935 object, as further defined below. All weapons shall be confiscated and given to Public Safety 936 or other law enforcement agencies as appropriate. The disposition of confiscated weapons 937 shall be determined by the superintendent or his/her designated school official, in conjunction 938 with law enforcement. 939 940 Note: The definition of "weapon" for purposes of this Code of Conduct is one that includes, 941 but is not limited to, the following items: 942 943 Category I Weapon - Dangerous Weapon or Firearm (Loaded or Unloaded): 944 To determine whether a second or third offense has occurred, violations shall be cumulative 945 beginning with violations: 946

Occurring in sixth grade and shall carry over from grades 6 through 8; and 947 Occurring in or after the eighth grade and shall carry over from grades 948

8 through 12. 949 950 Dangerous weapon means any weapon which fires explosive or non-explosive rockets or 951 weapon which is designed to explode to injure, kill, destroy armor, or similar weapon used for 952 such purpose as defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-121. 953 954 Firearm means a handgun, riffle, shotgun, or other weapon which will or can be converted to 955 expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or electrical charge. 956 957 958 First and Subsequent Offenses: 959


Maximum of ten (10) days out of school suspension plus a recommendation for 962 permanent expulsion. 963



969 Category II Weapon – Hazardous Object: 970 971 NOTE: Category II Weapon offenses are cumulative in grades 6-8 and grades 8-12. 972 973 Hazardous object means any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, any other 974 knife having a blade of two or more inches, straight-edge razor, razor blade, spring stick, 975 knuckles, whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material, blackjack, 976 any bat, club, or other bludgeon-type weapon, or any flailing instrument consisting of two or 977 more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be 978 known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain, or any disc, of 979 whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be 980 thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart, or any 981

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instrument of like kind, any nonlethal air gun, and any stun gun or taser as defined in 982 O.C.G.A. § 16-11-106 or any tool or instrument which the school administration could 983 reasonably conclude as being used as a weapon or intended by the student to be used as a 984 weapon and thus a violation of the intent of this Code of Conduct. 985 986 First Offense: 987



Second and Subsequent Offenses: 992 Minimum of ten (10) days out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for long-993

term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 994 Maximum of ten (10) days out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 995


998 Category III Weapon: 999 Any knife or instrument having a blade of less than two inches, any "look-alike" firearm, or 1000 plastic disposable razor or sling shot. 1001 First Offense: 1002

Minimum of five (5) day of out-of-school suspension. 1003 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension. 1004 Contact Public Safety. 1005

Second and Subsequent Offenses: 1006 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension. 1007 Maximum of ten(10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 1008



1014 III. CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS: 1015 1016 The names of student clubs and organizations, as defined by Administrative Rule JHC-R (School 1017 Clubs/Organizations and Student Organizations) the mission or purpose of such clubs or 1018 organizations, the names of the club's or organization's contacts or faculty advisors, and a 1019 description of past or planned activities will be available in student handbooks, school-provided 1020 information and/or on school Websites for each school. This information is updated periodically 1021 throughout the year and is available on the school's Website, which may be accessed at 1022 www.cobbk12.org, and/or the school's administrative office. Also see Administrative Rule IDE-R 1023 (Co-Curricular Activities) and Administrative Rule IDF-R (Interscholastic Activities). 1024 1025 1026 Adopted: 7/9/80 1027 Revised: 4/13/83; 8/8/84; 6/28/90; 5/23/91; 5/28/92; 11/11/92; 5/27/93; 8/10/94; 6/14/95; 6/27/96; 6/26/97; 1028 5/28/98; 10/28/99, 5/25/00, 9/18/00; 5/24/01: 6/27/02, 6/26/03; 6/9/04 1029 Reclassified an Administrative Rule: 9/1/04 1030 Revised: 6/21/05; 7/1/06; 7/1/07; 7/1/08; 7/1/09, 6/9/10, 6/8/11; 6/13/12 1031 Revised and Re-coded: 7/1/13 1032 Revised: 6/11/14; 7/1/14; 7/1/15 1033 1034 Legal Reference 1035 O.C.G.A. 20-2-1126 Written policies and procedures for operation of school buses; receipt of code of conduct by 1036

students; acknowledgement by parent or guardians 1037 O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.4 Policies prohibiting bullying; assignment to alternative school; notice 1038 O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.5 Required provisions for student code of conduct 1039 O.C.G.A. 16-11-37 Terroristic threats and acts 1040 O.C.G.A. 16-11-37.1 Dissemination of information relating to terroristic acts 1041 O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.7 Student reporting of inappropriate behavior by teacher/staff 1042 O.C.G.A. 16-11-37 Terroristic threats and acts; penalties 1043

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O.C.G.A. 20-2-735 Adoption of policies by LBOEs to improve student learning environment 1044 O.C.G.A. 20-2-736 Student codes of conduct; distribution 1045 O.C.G.A. 20-2-737 Reports by teacher of violations of student code of conduct; parental notice 1046 O.C.G.A. 20-2-738 Authority of teacher to remove student from classroom; procedures 1047 Rule 160-4-8-.15 Student Discipline 1048

Page 1 of 14

GREEN font indicates content from HB 131 BROWN font indicates content recommended by Policy, Planning and Student Support YELLOW highlights indicate content recommended by Gregory, Doyle, Calhoun & Rogers


JCDA-R (Elementary) Student Code of Conduct (Elementary) 7/1/14 7/1/15




but not limited to, school buses, buses leased by the District and privately owned vehicles 24 used for transportation to and from school activities; and 25




33 Any and all violations of the Code of Conduct will be part of a student’s disciplinary record and 34 may be used in a student disciplinary hearing pursuant to the District’s progressive discipline 35 process. 36 37 The decision to charge a student for violation of this Code of Conduct shall be made by the 38 administration of the school. If the school administration is uncertain as to the interpretation of 39 the Code of Conduct they are to contact Student Support or their respective Area Leadership 40 and Learning Assistant Superintendent. 41 42 Suspension of a student from school for not more than ten (10) consecutive days is considered a 43 short-term suspension, not subject to formal rights of hearing or appeal. Although there are no 44 such rights guaranteed by law, parents/guardians may contact the Principal to discuss their child’s 45 discipline. 46 47

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48 49 50 51 52 I. DISCIPLINE LEVELS 53 54 A. Level 1 Discipline: 55


Following appropriate teacher intervention, students may be referred to an administrator. 58 Consequences range from administrative conference to three (3) days of Administrative 59

Detention and/or restitution. 60 B. Level 2 Discipline: 61

Level 2 discipline offenses are intermediate acts of misconduct. 62 Students should be referred to an administrator. 63 Consequences range from In-School Isolation (ISI) to five (5) days Out-of-School 64

Suspension (OSS) and/or restitution. 65 Repeated violations of any Level 2 offense may result in that violation being considered a 66

Level 3 offense which may result in long term suspension/expulsion. 67 C. Level 3 Discipline: 68


Students must be referred to an administrator. Administrators will notify the appropriate 72 Area Leadership and Learning Assistant Superintendent, Student Support and the Cobb 73 County School District Department of Public Safety (Public Safety), as well as other law 74 enforcement agencies as deemed appropriate. Consequences range from out-of-school-75 suspension to permanent expulsion. 76




The teacher shall follow his/her school administrative referral guidelines and, when 89 necessary, the procedures outlined in Administrative Rule JDF-R (Teacher Authority to 90 Remove Students from Classroom). 91

92 E. Truancy: 93

When a child is absent, parents, guardians, or other persons who have control of a child 94 enrolled in the District should comply with Administrative Rule JB-R (Student Attendance) and 95 school guidelines to report reasons for absences. Georgia law requires that after any student 96 accrues five (5) days of unexcused absences in a given school year, the parent, guardian, or 97 other person who has control or charge of that child shall be in violation of O.C.G.A. § 20-2-98 690.1(b). Any child that is subject to compulsory attendance who, during the school calendar 99 year, has more than five (5) days of unexcused absences is considered truant. The law states 100 the following: 101 102 “Any parent, guardian, or other person residing in this state who has control or charge of a 103 child or children and who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon 104 conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine of not less than $25.00 and not greater than 105 $100.00, or imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, community service, or any combination of 106

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such penalties, at the discretion of the court having jurisdiction. Each day’s absence from 107 school in violation of this part after the child’s school system notifies the parent, guardian, or 108 other person who has control or charge of a child of five unexcused days of absence for a child 109 shall constitute a separate offense.” 110 111 Schools will notify parents/guardians when a student has accumulated five (5) 112

unexcused absences. 113 Schools will also notify parents/guardians of students 14 years of age and older when the 114


O.C.G.A. § 15-11-67. 117 118

F. REPORTING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT: 119 In addition to discipline of students by the District, student conduct may be reported to 120 appropriate law enforcement authorities. The District encourages parents/guardians to inform 121 their children of the consequences, including potential criminal penalties, of underage sexual 122 conduct and crimes for which a minor can be tried as an adult. 123 124 125


1. No student shall possess, consume, transmit, store, or be under any degree of influence of 135 alcoholic beverages (including related products such as "near" beer, non- alcoholic beer, 136 and non-alcoholic wine coolers) and/or illegal drugs, narcotics, hallucinogens, 137 amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana, or any other substance listed under the Georgia 138 Controlled Substances Act or any substance believed by the student to be alcohol or an 139 illegal drug. Legal intoxication is not required for violation of this Code of Conduct. 140





“K-2” (Also known as, Spice, Blayze II, RedBird, Mojo, VooDoo Magic, Spice Gold, Yucatan 154 Fire, Demon and Serenity.) 155

156 NOTE: Alcohol/Illegal Drug/Inhalant offenses are cumulative for grades K-2 and 3-5. 157 158 Consequences for Possession or Personal Use: (A-1, A-5 and A-6 above) 159

First Offense and Additional Offenses: 160 Minimum of one (1) day of out-of school suspension. 161 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension. 162 Notify the appropriate Area Leadership and Learning Assistant Superintendent. 163 Contact Public Safety. 164

165

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Consequences for Buying, Selling, Distribution and Possession with Intent to Distribute: 166 (A-4 above) 167

First Offense and Additional Offenses: 168 Minimum of three (3) days of out-of school suspension. 169 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 170



1. A student shall not be truant by failing to attend school in compliance with the Georgia 176 Compulsory Attendance Laws. (Level 1) 177

2. No student shall be tardy for a class or activity for which he/she is enrolled without a valid 178 excuse. (Level 1) 179

3. No student shall miss any class or activity for which he/she is enrolled without a valid 180 excuse. (Level 2) 181

4. Students shall not leave school grounds during the course of the regularly scheduled 182 school day without the permission of a parent/guardian and the Principal or designee. 183 Students must follow the established procedures for checking in or out of school. (Level 184 2) 185

186 C. BOMB THREATS: 187

Bomb threat is defined as: Transmitting in any manner a false alarm to the effect that a 188 bomb or other explosive of any nature is concealed on school property creating a potentially 189 dangerous situation. 190

Minimum of one (1) day of out-of-school suspension. 191 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension. 192 Contact Public Safety. 193










6. Students shall not use any electronic devices during the operation of a school bus, 220 including but not limited to: cell phones; pagers; audible radios, tape players, and 221 compact disc players without headphones; or any other electronic device that may 222 interfere with the bus' communication equipment or the driver's operation of the school 223 bus. Students may not use any electronic device to video or audio record while on school 224

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provided transportation vehicles. (Level 1-3 and/or suspension from the bus for a 225 specified time) 226


8. Students who commit sexual offenses, physical offenses against students, or physical 230 offenses against District employees (as defined elsewhere in this Code of Conduct) on the 231 school bus will receive penalties for the offense(s) as specified in this Code of Conduct for 232 these offenses and may also be suspended from the bus for a specified time. 233



1. Students shall not use, display, or turn on communication beepers, cellular phones, video 242 phones, or electronic devices during instructional time, class change time, breakfast or 243 lunch. The Principal shall determine specified times on campus when electronic devices 244 may be used for instructional purposes. (Level 1) 245






1. No student shall use any type of profane, vulgar, obscene or ethnically offensive language 267 (written or oral) or gestures. (Level 2) 268





6. No student shall refuse to identify one's self upon request of any District employee or 278 designee. (Level 1-2) 279

7. No student shall repeatedly violate the school dress code. (Level 1-2) 280 281 H. DISRUPTION OF SCHOOL: 282

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2. School Disruption: No student shall, in any manner, by the use of violence, force, noise, 286 coercion, threat, intimidation, fear, passive resistance, or any other conduct, intentionally 287 cause the disruption of any lawful mission, process or function of the school, or engage in 288 any such conduct for the purpose of causing the disruption or obstruction of any such 289 lawful mission, process or function. (Level 1-3) 290










2. No student shall make false calls to emergency services or report false fire alarms which 315 create a potentially dangerous interruption to the normal school operation and to both the 316 physical and emotional well-being of students and staff. 317 a. False Call to Emergency Services: 318

No student shall knowingly make or cause a false call to be made to emergency 319 services. 320

First and Subsequent Offenses: 321 Minimum of one (1) day of out-of-school suspension. 322 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension. 323 Contact Public Safety. 324


First and Subsequent Offenses: 327 Minimum of one (1) day of out-of-school suspension. 328 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension. 329 Contact Public Safety. 330

331 J. GAMBLING: 332



A “gang" is defined as any group or association of three or more persons, whether formal or 337 informal, which encourages, solicits, promotes, urges, counsels, furthers, advocates, 338 condones, assists, causes, advises, procures, or abets any illegal or disruptive activity or 339 behavior of any kind, whether on or off school campuses or school property. 340

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1. No student shall engage in any activity while participating in a gang which interferes with 341 the orderly conduct of school activities, with discipline in the schools, or with the rights of 342 other students or faculty members. (Level 1-3) 343



order and discipline in the schools, even though such behavior is not specified in the 349 preceding written rules. (Level 1-3) 350

351 L. HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, THREATS (VERBAL, WRITTEN OR ELECTRONIC), AND 352

BULLYING BEHAVIOR: 353 1. Harassment is defined as: 354

Intentional, substantial, and unreasonable verbal, physical or written contact that is 355 initiated, maintained, or repeated. No student shall engage in harassment, intimidation, or 356 abuse of or toward any other student(s), District employees or other adults for any reason. 357 This prohibition includes but is not limited to, harassment, intimidation or abuse of 358 students or others based on actual or perceived race, creed, color, national origin, religion, 359 sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or a physical characteristic. 360 (Level 1-3) 361


3. Bullying: 365 No student shall bully another student or students. 366 Bullying behavior is defined as: 367












395 Minimum of one (1) day of out-of-school suspension. 396 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 397

long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 398 399

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Parents/guardians of students who are victims of bullying or are found to have committed 400 bullying behaviors will be notified via conference or letter/referral. Staff members should 401 report instances of these behaviors to school administration immediately so that 402 administrators may review them in a timely manner. 403

404 At least one parent/guardian will be required to attend a conference with the Principal or 405 designee concerning the student’s bullying offense. The school will provide information on 406 bullying and a list of free assessment providers to the parents/guardians. 407











No student shall participate in any activity that is subversive to good order and discipline of 434 the school not specifically addressed in the other sections of this Code of Conduct (Possession 435 or use of counterfeit money or forged official school forms is included in this section). (Level 436 1-3) 437 NOTE: Schools should contact Student Support prior to charging a student with this section. 438

439 P. OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION: 440

Possession of all over-the-counter medication on school property must be in compliance with 441 Administrative Rule JGCD-R (Medication). A student is prohibited from selling, distributing, or 442 possessing with intent to distribute any over-the-counter medication. Over the counter 443 medications specifically include, but are not limited to, nicotine replacement therapies such as 444 nicotine gum and candy, nicotine lozenges, nicotine patches, nicotine inhalers, nicotine nasal 445 sprays and the like. (Level 1-3) 446




Principals or designees will continue to exercise professional discretion in determining 454 incidents of horseplay, intentional spitting, physical altercation, fighting or physical bullying, or 455 self-defense as defined by Georgia law in O.C.G.A. § 16-3-21. Principals or designees will 456 have the authority to assign consequences based on behavior related to specific incidents. 457 This may include differentiated discipline assigned on a case by case basis. The minimum 458

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consequences for prohibited behaviors will apply as noted in this Code of Conduct and other 459 District Administrative Rules. 460 1. No student shall use any device, chemical, irritant, or substance in a manner inconsistent 461





6. No student shall participate in any type of fighting. 474 Consequence for fighting: 475

Minimum of one (1) day of out-of-school suspension. 476 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 477

long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 478 7. No student shall gang up with any student or students to physically attack another 479

student or other persons. 480 Consequence for ganging up on another: 481


long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 484 8. Physical Threat of a Student or a Person who is not a District Employee: 485

Physical Threat is defined as: when a student attempts to commit a violent injury to the 486 person of another; or commits an act which places another in reasonable apprehension of 487 immediately receiving a physical injury. 488 Consequence for physical threat: 489


long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 492 9. Battery on a Student or a Person who is not a District Employee: 493

Battery is defined as when a student: intentionally causes physical harm to a person; or 494 causes or attempts to cause injury, or behaves in such a way as to cause physical injury to 495 a student. 496 Consequence for physical battery: 497


long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 500 NOTE: Battery offenses are cumulative in grades K-2 and grades 3-5. 501

10. Physical Offenses upon District Employees: 502 NOTE: All physical offenses upon District Employees are cumulative in grades K-2 and 503 grades 3-5. 504 Hearing: 505

All physical offenses upon District employees listed below require a mandatory 506 disciplinary hearing be held in accordance with Administrative Rule JCEB-R (Student 507 Hearing Procedure), regardless of the recommended discipline, unless the hearing is 508 waived. A disciplinary hearing regarding a recommendation for a short-term out of 509 school suspension (10 days OSS or less) may be waived by the employee. A 510 disciplinary hearing regarding a recommendation of long-term out of school suspension 511 (11 days OSS or more) may be waived by both the employee and the parent/guardian. 512

a. Physical Threat: 513 Physical Threat is defined as: when a student attempts to commit a violent injury to 514 the person of a staff member; or commits an act which places a staff member in 515 reasonable apprehension of immediately receiving a serious or violent injury. 516 Penalty for physical threat: 517

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Minimum of one (1) day of out-of-school suspension. 518 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation 519

for long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 520 b. Physical Violence Without Harm: 521

No student shall intentionally make physical contact commit an act of assault or 522 battery of an insulting or provoking nature with the person of a District employee, 523 unless such contact was in self-defense, as provided in Georgia law in O.C.G.A. § 16-3-524 21. 525 Kindergarten (K) - 2nd Grade Consequences: 526 First Offense K-2: 527

Minimum of one (1) day of out-of-school suspension. 528 Maximum of five (5) days of out-of-school suspension. 529

Second Offense K-2: 530 Minimum of two (2) days of out-of-school suspension 531 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension 532

Third and Subsequent Offenses K-2: 533 Minimum of three (3) days of out-of-school suspension 534 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation 535

for long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 536 Grades 3-5 Consequences: 537 First Offense grades 3-5: 538

Minimum of one (1) day of out-of-school suspension. 539 Maximum of five (5) days of out-of-school suspension. 540

Second Offense grades 3-5: 541 Minimum of three (3) days of out-of-school suspension. 542 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension. 543

Third and Subsequent Offenses grades 3-5: 544 Minimum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension. 545 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation 546

for long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 547 c. Physical Violence With Harm: 548

No student shall intentionally make physical contact commit an act of assault or 549 battery, which causes physical harm to a District employee, unless such physical 550 contacts or physical harms were in self-defense, as provided in Georgia law in O.C.G.A. 551 § 16-3-21. 552

First and Subsequent Offenses: 553 Minimum of three (3) days of out-of-school suspension. 554 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation 555

for long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 556 557 S. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: 558

No student shall be in possession of prescription medication not prescribed for the student. All 559 prescription medication prescribed for a student must be in compliance with Administrative 560 Rule JGCD-R (Medication). In addition, a student shall not sell, distribute, or possess with 561 intent to distribute any prescribed medication on school property. (Level 2-3) 562 NOTE: If the prescription drug is a controlled substance under the Georgia Controlled 563

Substances Act, the student shall be found to have violated Section II, Paragraph A, 564 Alcohol/Illegal Drugs/Inhalants, and shall be disciplined according to that Section. 565

566 T. PROPERTY RELATED OFFENSES: 567




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b. No student shall participate in physical conduct of a sexual nature (including, but not 608 limited to, unwelcome sexual advances or gestures) where there is a pattern of 609 harassing behavior or a single significant incident. (Level 2-3 and contact Public 610 Safety) 611

3. Sexual Battery: 612 Sexual battery is defined as a student intentionally making physical contact with the 613 intimate parts of the body of another person without the consent of that person. Intimate 614 body parts include the primary genital area, anus, groin, inner thighs, or buttocks of a 615 male or female and the breasts of a female. No student shall commit any act of sexual 616 battery on school property, school buses, or at school-sponsored events. 617 Penalties for Sexual Battery: 618



4. Sexual Molestation: 624 Sexual molestation is defined as a student doing any immoral or indecent act to or in the 625 presence of another person, without that person's consent, with the intent to arouse or 626 satisfy the sexual desires of either the student or the other person. This includes a student 627 forcing another person to make physical contact with the student’s intimate body parts, as 628 defined in this Section. No student shall commit any act of sexual molestation or the 629 attempts thereof on school property, school buses, or at school-sponsored events. 630 Penalties for Sexual Molestation: 631


long-term suspension/expulsion for a specified time. 634

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administrative placement to a different school, after the term of discipline has 638 been completed. Parents/guardians are responsible for transportation to the 639 assigned school. 640




649 650 W. DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY OFFENSES: 651







6. No student shall attempt to, threaten to, or actually damage, destroy, vandalize, or steal 670 private property or school property while using school technology resources on or off 671 school grounds. (Level 2-3, restitution and contact Public Safety) 672






692 X. TOBACCO: 693

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Student possession or use of tobacco or tobacco product substitutes (e.g., tobacco look-alikes, 694 such as BaccOff), cigarette look-alikes (e.g., electronic cigarettes), hookahs and hookah look-695 alikes (e.g. electronic hookahs) on school property and at school-sponsored events is 696 prohibited. (Level 1-2 offense) 697

698 Y. WEAPONS: 699

NOTE: Weapons offenses are cumulative in grades K-5. 700 A student who wants to use a weapon or look-alike weapon in an exhibit, presentation, or 701 activity in a classroom or at a school-sponsored event must meet the following requirements: 702 Verbal approval of the teacher in whose class the weapon will be used; 703 Prior written permission from the Principal which includes a description of the weapons 704

authorized and the time period during which the weapons may be on campus; 705 Transport of the weapon or look-alike weapon to and from the school by the parent/ 706

guardian of the student making the request; and 707 The teacher or school administration storing the weapon or look-alike weapon in a secure 708

location when it is not being used in the above classroom activities. 709 710

Prohibition: A student shall not possess, handle, transmit, or cause to be transmitted; use or 711 threaten to use; sell, attempt to sell, or conspire to sell a weapon, either concealed or open to 712 view, on school property. A weapon includes a dangerous weapon, firearm or hazardous 713 object, as further defined below. All weapons shall be confiscated and given to Public Safety 714 or other law enforcement agencies as appropriate. The disposition of confiscated weapons 715 shall be determined by the Superintendent or his/her designated school official, in conjunction 716 with law enforcement. 717 718 Note: The definition of "weapon" for purposes of this Code of Conduct is one that includes, 719 but is not limited to, the following items: 720 721 Category I Weapon - Dangerous Weapon or Firearm (Loaded or Unloaded): 722 Dangerous weapon means any weapon which fires explosive or non-explosive rockets or 723 weapon which is designed to explode to injure, kill, destroy armor, or similar weapon used for 724 such purpose as defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-121. 725 726 Firearm means a handgun, riffle, shotgun, or other weapon which will or can be converted to 727 expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or electrical charge . 728 729 First and Subsequent Offenses: 730


Maximum of ten (10) days out of school suspension plus a recommendation of 733 permanent expulsion. 734



740 Category II Weapon – Hazardous Object: 741 Hazardous object means any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, any other 742 knife having a blade of two or more inches, straight-edge razor, razor blade, spring stick, 743 knuckles, whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material, blackjack, 744 any bat, club, or other bludgeon-type weapon, or any flailing instrument consisting of two or 745 more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be 746 known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain, or any disc, of 747 whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be 748 thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart, or any 749 instrument of like kind, any nonlethal air gun, and any stun gun or taser as defined in 750 O.C.G.A. § 16-11-106 or any tool or instrument which the school administration could 751

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reasonably conclude as being used as a weapon or intended by the student to be used as a 752 weapon and thus a violation of the intent of this Code of Conduct. 753 754 First and Subsequent Offenses: 755

Factors to be considered in determining the penalty will include, but not be limited to: 756 age, maturity level of student, willfulness and intent, and the weapon involved. 757

Minimum of two (2) days of out-of-school suspension. 758 Maximum of ten (10) days of out-of-school suspension plus a recommendation for 759


762 Category III Weapon: 763 Any knife or instrument having a blade of less than two inches, any "look-alike" firearm, or 764 plastic disposable razor or sling shot. 765 First and Subsequent Offenses: 766

Factors to be considered in determining the penalty will include, but not be limited to: 767 age, maturity level of student, willfulness and intent, and the weapon involved. 768




776 777 III. CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS: 778 779 The names of student clubs and organizations, as defined by Administrative Rule JHC-R (School 780 Clubs/Organizations and Student Organizations) the mission or purpose of such clubs or 781 organizations, the names of the club's or organization's contacts or faculty advisors, and a 782 description of past or planned activities will be available in student handbooks, school-provided 783 information and/or on school Websites for each school. This information is updated periodically 784 throughout the year and is available on the school's Website, which may be accessed at 785 www.cobbk12.org, and/or the school's administrative office. Also see Administrative Rule IDE-R 786 (Co-Curricular Activities) and Administrative Rule IDF-R (Interscholastic Activities). 787 788 789 Adopted: 7/9/80 790 Revised: 4/13/83; 8/8/84; 6/28/90; 5/23/91; 5/28/92; 11/11/92; 5/27/93; 8/10/94; 6/14/95; 6/27/96; 6/26/97; 791 5/28/98; 10/28/99, 5/25/00, 9/18/00; 5/24/01: 6/27/02, 6/26/03; 6/9/04 792 Reclassified an Administrative Rule: 9/1/04 793 Revised: 6/21/05; 7/1/06; 7/1/07; 7/1/08; 7/1/09, 6/9/10, 6/8/11; 6/13/12 794 Revised and Re-coded: 7/1/13 795 Revised: 6/11/14; 7/1/14; 7/1/15 796 797 Legal Reference 798 O.C.G.A. 20-2-1126 Written policies and procedures for operation of school buses; receipt of code of conduct by 799

students; acknowledgement by parent or guardians 800 O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.4 Policies prohibiting bullying; assignment to alternative school; notice 801 O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.5 Required provisions for student code of conduct 802 O.C.G.A. 16-11-37 Terroristic threats and acts 803 O.C.G.A. 16-11-37.1 Dissemination of information relating to terroristic acts 804 O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.7 Student reporting of inappropriate behavior by teacher/staff 805 O.C.G.A. 16-11-37 Terroristic threats and acts; penalties 806 O.C.G.A. 20-2-735 Adoption of policies by LBOEs to improve student learning environment 807 O.C.G.A. 20-2-736 Student codes of conduct; distribution 808 O.C.G.A. 20-2-737 Reports by teacher of violations of student code of conduct; parental notice 809 O.C.G.A. 20-2-738 Authority of teacher to remove student from classroom; procedures 810 Rule 160-4-8-.15 Student Discipline 811

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