Discipline

One goal of Floyd Central High School is to provide the safest and most positive learning environment possible for its students. Appropriate student behavior is an integral part of an effective school climate.

Civility Policy

Part of the role and purpose of American education is teaching students to work with each other, and in doing so, treat each other with civil courtesy.

  • Uncivil conduct toward students, staff members and other persons is not acceptable and will be subject to disciplinary measures which may include suspension and/or expulsion.
  • Uncivil conduct includes bullying, harassment, lewd, vulgar, indecent or offensive speech, name-calling, threats, racial or sexual epithets, and other expressions intended to arouse anger or hostility.

Demerit System

The demerit system is but a part of a larger program that addresses the need for appropriate student behavior in school. Using the school corporation's Student Guide policy, parental and teacher guidance, counseling services, and administrative conferences, Floyd Central will offer every appropriate opportunity for students to succeed in school and make a contribution to a positive school climate. The demerit system is subject to changing circumstances throughout the year.

Demerits

Staff members may assign demerits for infractions of school rules. The school reserves the right to increase demerits or assign additional punishments for offenses.

  • Disruptive behavior or Inappropriate behavior 1 or 2
  • Failure to follow teacher/authority directive 1 Day SAL
  • Food or drink outside cafeteria 2
  • Not completing homework 1 or 2
  • Insubordination 2-6 or suspension
  • Profanity 2-6 or suspension
  • Cheating or falsification 3-6 or suspension
  • Inappropriate attire 4
  • Actions that endanger others 2-6 or suspension
  • Pass violation 2
  • Damage to property 2-6 or suspension
  • Theft 3-6 or suspension
  • Motor vehicle violation 3 or loss of driving privilege
  • Leaving campus 4 or suspension
  • Failure to bring materials to class 1 or 2
  • Level 1: 8 demerits-students will be notified and a letter will be sent home notifying parents that a conference will be required at 12 demerits.
  • Level 2: 12 demerits-a mandatory conference will be scheduled with parents before the student is returned to classes. A student will be placed on a demerit contract at this time.
  • Level 3: 16 demerits-the student will be suspended in school for one day and hall pass privileges will be revoked.
  • Level 4: 20 demerits - student will receive the punishment stated in demerit contract.

After 30 demerits another series of meetings will take place to address the student's inability to conform to appropriate school behavior. Student, parents, and school officials will meet to discuss appropriate disciplinary action including withdrawal from school, expulsion proceedings, probationary status, or other action deemed appropriate under these circumstances by school authorities.
Students who exceed 40 demerits will be subject to expulsion for the remainder of the school year.

Refusal to follow teacher Directives

Insubordination or refusal to comply with teacher directive may result in at least one day of in school suspension as a minimum consequence.

Demerits

Students may appeal to have demerits reduced by demonstrating meritorious behavior. Staff members who assigned demerits would agree to permit the student to perform some kind of school or community service. The purpose of this would be to develop positive attitudes and behaviors. Demerits would be reduced on the student's record for accounting purposes only. Merits may be limited by a principal.

No-Pass List

Students with an excessive amount of disciplinary referrals may be placed on a “no pass” list. Students caught using or possessing tobacco are automatically placed on a “no pass” list.

Off- Campus Behavior

Students may be suspended out of school for illegal activities committed off campus or beyond the school day if such actions impact the school, its staff, or the student body. Students may also be sent to in school suspension if an event that occurs off campus impacts the school, the staff, or the student body.

Other Offenses

  • a. Fighting will result in automatic and immediate suspension of ten days or less. Students must attend workshops on conflict resolution.
  • b. Use or possession of drugs or alcohol is explained in "Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy Manual” appended to this handbook. Students are subject to testing for alcohol consumption if they are suspected of being under the influence of alcohol while at school.
  • c. Infractions such as violence, insubordination, and destruction of property will be dealt with accordingly and may result in suspension and/or expulsion from school.
  • d. Forging of school official's signatures or school documents will result in a one day or longer suspension.
  • e. Inappropriate language, either written or verbal, may result in demerits and/or suspension.
  • f. Pranks of any kind are disruptive and subject the student to possible suspension or expulsion.
  • g. Any student who falsified school records, including progress reports, report cards or passes is subject to disciplinary action.

Exclusion from Class

Behavior modification, constructive intervention, and attitude adjustment are phrases applicable to measures taken to deal with classroom conflicts or student behaviors which interfere with the education process. School staff members use a Student Development Referral form to document teacher, counselor, and administrator steps taken in contending with unproductive student behavior. The goal is to help students learn effective coping skills, thus positively dealing with their problems as they realize personal growth and a deepened educational experience. Student referrals are maintained in student files for parental information and future counseling sessions. All referrals are disposed of when the student graduates.

1. Teacher Exclusion
A teacher may exclude a student from participation in any educational function under that teacher's charge and supervision for a period not to exceed one school day when a student interferes with the educational function of which the teacher is then in charge.
2. Suspension Alternative Lab
After being assigned three times to Suspension Alternative Lab (SAL) or after a total of seven days, students may no longer have SAL as an alternative. Any further infractions will result in options more severe than SAL.
3. Suspension
A principal may deny a student the right to attend school or to take part in any school function for a period of up to ten school days in the following instances:
a. When the school personnel in charge of a student consider the behavior of any student under their supervision to be so serious to warrant the principal's attention.
b. When the grounds for exclusion exist.
c. When the alleged misconduct constitutes a violation of any of the "Grounds for Expulsion or Suspension."
The principal shall provide notice and hold an informal hearing with the student prior to the suspension, except where the circumstances or the nature of the misconduct requires immediate removal. In such a situation, the notice and informal hearing shall follow as soon as reasonably possible after the suspension. Students who are suspended from school may not make up work missed during the suspension. A principal may remove a student from athletic activities, noncredit school activities, or school-provided transportation for disciplinary reasons, and such removal does not constitute a suspension or expulsion. Any student suspended out of school for two or more days may be assigned to community corrections for community service as part of the disciplinary action. Law enforcement is notified on all suspensions and a student may be arrested and formally charged.
4. Permanent Removal from Class
A student may be permanently removed from class and receive an "F" on his or her transcript for committing one of the following actions:
a. Becoming incorrigible toward the instructor of a class.
b. Refusing to complete work for a class.
c. Violating safety rules of a class.
d. Committing an act of violence or theft in a class.
e. Violating the computer usage policy of a class.
5. Expulsion
a. An expulsion is a denial of the right of a student to take part in any school function for any period greater than ten school days.
b. An expulsion is a denial of the right of a student to take part in any school function for ten days or less, if the days involved constitute the balance of a then-current school year.
c. An expulsion is any other disciplinary action which automatically prevents the student from completing, within the normal time; his/her overall course of study in any school in the school corporation.
d. During the second semester of any school year, a principal may request that an expulsion remain in effect through the following summer session and/or the first semester of the following school year.
e. An expulsion for a full school year may be for fewer than the total number of student days in a full school year when such expulsion results in loss of school credit for two school semesters, or for two school semesters and a summer session.
f. The expulsion process offers the opportunity for the student procedural due process hearing.
g. Students leaving Floyd Central for an alternative school assignment forfeit the right to participate in and attend school activities as a non-traditional student.

6. Application of the Grounds for Expulsion or Suspension

The grounds for expulsion or suspension apply when a student is
a. on a school bus.
b. on school grounds immediately before, during, and immediately after school hours and at any time when the school is being used by a school group.
c. off school grounds at a school activity, function, or event.
d. traveling to or from school or school activity, function, or event.

7. Grounds for Suspension or Expulsion

(See New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated Schools student guide for student rights and responsibilities, enforcement of rules and regulations, and due process procedures in section 8 of this handbook.)

State Driver's License Law

Indiana law prohibits the issuance of an operator's license, or permit and invalidates any existing license or permit, if a person less than 18 years of age or under has:
a. An expulsion from school.
b. Students under the age of sixteen maybe denied the right to drive at sixteen if declared a truant by the school for excessive absences from the school.
c. An exclusion from school due to misconduct.

Indiana state law requires schools to notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when a student is suspended out of school a second time. The BMV will then suspend the student's driver's license for 120 days if the student is under the age of 18.

Reports to Authorities

All out-of-school suspensions are routinely reported to law enforcement agencies, including the probation office and law enforcement. These infractions include, but are not limited to, thefts, fighting, chronic truancy, drug and alcohol violations, tobacco violations and threats or acts of intimidation.

Enforcement of Rules & Regulations

When self-discipline fails, regulations for management of school behavior must be enforced by those directly responsible for the operation of the schools. School staff members will make every effort, individually, collectively, and cooperatively, with appropriate available community resources, to help each student gain acceptable self-discipline standards. The Board of School Trustees of the New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation has this legal responsibility. Authority for such action is given in the School Powers Act and the Student Due Process Statute, I.C. 20-33-8 et. seq. The Board of School Trustees has established policy in the Policy Manual of the New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation and appointed administrative officers to carry out those Policies as amended.

1. After-School Detainment:

Students may be detained after school, but only for a reasonable length of time. (A “reasonable length of time” is determined by the child’s age and other factors.) Unusual delays should be reported to the parent by the teacher by telephone if possible.

2. Corporal Punishment

If corporal punishment is necessary, it may be administered by the principal or counselor preferably with the teacher present or by the teacher in the presence of the principal, counselor, or another teacher, and never in the presence of other students. The principal shall report to the Superintendent, in writing, any case of corporal punishment. Corporal punishment is not practiced at Floyd Central High School.

3. Teacher Temporary Dismissal

A teacher may remove a student from his/her class in order to ensure a safe, orderly and effective educational environment. Such removal shall not exceed: a) five (5) class periods for middle, junior high, or high school students; or b) one (1) school day for elementary school students. If a secondary teacher intends to remove a student from class for more than one class period, he/she will first personally inform the building principal or his/her designee and make a bona fide attempt to discuss the situation with a parent, guardian or caregiver. The final decision shall be the teacher’s. Students removed from class must be given regular or additional school work to complete during removal from the classroom.

For the purposes of this section and clarification of the term “class period”, the maximum time a student may be removed is:
• Block schedule schools: 3 blocks
• Traditional schedule schools: 5 periods
• Prosser: the remainder of the session from which the student was removed plus the next day’s session.

4. Suspension

A principal or designee may deny a student the right to attend school or to take part in any school function for a period of up to five (5) school days in the following instances: a. When the school personnel in charge of a student consider the behavior of any student under their supervision to be so serious as to warrant the principal’s attention; b. When the alleged misconduct constitutes a violation of any of the “Grounds for Expulsion or Suspension”. The principal or designee may extend a suspension to a total of ten (10) school days, when the misconduct constitutes a violation of any of the “Grounds for Expulsion or Suspension” and the principal or designee recommends that the student be expelled from the School Corporation. The principal or designee shall provide notice and hold a conference with the student prior to the suspension, except where the circumstances, or the nature of the misconduct requires immediate removal. In such a situation, the notice and conference shall follow as soon as reasonably possible after the suspension.

5. Expulsion

a.) An expulsion is:
(1) A denial of the right of a student to take part in any school function for any period greater than ten (10) school days;
(2) A separation from school attendance for the remainder of the current semester or current year unless the student is permitted to complete required examinations in order to receive credit for courses taken in the current semester or current year.
b.) During the second semester of any school year, a principal may request that an expulsion remain in effect through the following summer session and/or the first semester of the following school year.
c.) An expulsion for a full school year may be for fewer than the total number of student days in a full school year when such expulsion results in the loss of school credit for two school semesters, or for two school semesters and a summer session.
d.) An expulsion for violation of the rule against knowingly possessing, handling, or transmitting a firearm, while under the jurisdiction of the School Corporation, will be for a full calendar year, as set out in Article II, Section 8, f., below.
e.) The expulsion process offers the opportunity for a student due process meeting (See Article III, below).
f.) An expulsion that takes effect more than three (3) weeks before the beginning of the second semester of a school year must be reviewed before the beginning of the second semester. An expulsion that will remain in effect during the first semester of the following school year must be reviewed before the beginning of the school year. Such reviews shall be conducted by the Superintendent or his/her designee after notice of the review has been given to the student and the student’s parent or guardian. The review is limited to newly discovered evidence or evidence of changes in the student’s circumstances occurring since the original expulsion meeting.
g.) A principal may require a student who is a least sixteen (16) years of age and who wishes to enroll after an expulsion to attend an alternative program.
h.) An expulsion for violation of the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy of the School Corporation which occurs during the first semester of a school year shall include the remainder of the school year.
i.) An expulsion for violation of the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy of the School Corporation which occurs during the second semester of a school year shall include the following summer session and the first semester of the succeeding school year.

6. Other Disciplinary Actions Which Do Not Constitute a Suspension or An Expulsion

a.) A principal, teacher or other school staff member who supervises students may discipline a student by:
(1)Counseling with a student or group of students;
(2) Conferencing with a parent or group of parents;
(3) Assigning work;
(4) Rearranging class schedules;
(5) Requiring a student to remain in school after regular school hours to do school work or for counseling;
(6) Restricting athletic and other extracurricular activities, including removal from participation in such activities; and
(7) Removing a student from any noncredit school activity.
b.) A principal or designee may assign a student to:
(1) A special course of study;
(2) An alternative educational program; or
(3) An alternative school.
c.) A principal or designee may remove a student:
(1) From school sponsored transportation;
(2) From school, if a student is ill, has a communicable disease, or is infested with parasites (I.C. 20-34-3-9); and
(3) From school, for failure to comply with the immunization requirements of I.C. 20-34-4-5.
d.) The disciplinary actions listed in this Section do not constitute suspensions or expulsions.

7. Application of the Grounds for Expulsion or Suspension

The grounds for expulsion or suspension, set out below, apply when a student is:
a.) On a school bus;
b.) On school grounds immediately before, during and immediately after school hours and at any time when the school is being used by a school group;
c.) Off school grounds at a school activity, function, or event, or;
d.) Traveling to or from school or a school activity, function, or event. The grounds for expulsion or suspension may also apply when a student’s conduct is unlawful and may reasonably be considered to be interference with school purposes or an educational function when such activity occurs during weekends, holidays, school recesses, or during the summer when a student may not be attending classes or other school functions.

8. Grounds for Expulsion or Suspension are:

a.) The following are the grounds for student suspension or expulsion, subject to the procedural requirements, set out below: 1.) Student misconduct; and 2.) Substantial disobedience.
The following enumeration is illustrative of the type of conduct prohibited by this Section, it is not exhaustive. b.) Use of violence, force, noise, coercion, threat, intimidation, fear, passive resistance or other comparable conduct, constituting and interference with school purposes, or urging other students to engage in such conduct: 1.) Occupying any school building, school grounds, or part thereof with intent to deprive other of its use; 2.) Blocking the entrance or exit of any school building or corridor or room therein with intent to deprive others of lawful access to or exit from, or use of, the building or corridor or room; 3.) Setting fire to or substantially damaging any school building or property; 4.) Making bomb threats, false 911 calls, false fire alarms or throwing smoke bombs, fireworks or other comparable conduct; 5.) Firing, displaying or threatening use of firearms, explosives, or other weapons on school premises for any unlawful purpose. 6.)Preventing or attempting to prevent by physical at the convening or continued functioning of any school or education function, or of any lawful meeting or assembly on school property; 7.)Continuously and intentionally making noise or acting in any manner so as to interfere seriously with the ability of any teacher or any other school personnel to conduct the educational function under their supervision. This subparagraph shall not, however, be construed to make any particular student conduct a ground for expulsion where such conduct is constitutionally protected as an exercise of free speech or assembly or other right under the Constitution of Indiana or the United States. 8.)Discriminating or harassing on the basis of race, sex or other protected characteristic in violation of the Policies described in Article I, Section 12, above. 9.) Knowingly possessing, handling or transmitting any object that can reasonably be considered a weapon. 10.) See Section IV for information regarding School Safety Policy. c.) Causing or attempting to cause substantial damage to school property, stealing or attempting to steal school property of substantial value, or repeated damage or theft involving school property of small value. d.) Intentionally causing or attempting to cause substantial damage to valuable private property, or stealing or attempting to steal valuable private property, or repeatedly damaging or stealing any private property. e.) Intentionally causing or attempting to cause physical injury or behaving in such a way as could reasonably cause physical injury to any person. Self-defense or reasonable action undertaken in the reasonable belief that it was necessary to protect some other person does not, however, constitute a violation of this provision. f.) A student will be expelled for a full calendar year for knowingly possessing, handling, or transmitting a firearm, as defined by Indiana law, while under the jurisdiction of the School Corporation. Under I.C. 35-47-1-5, a “Firearm” is defined. Under I.C. 35-41-1-8 a “Deadly Weapon” is defined. Under I.C. 35-47.5-2-4, a “Destructive Device” is defined. A student expelled under this provision will not be reenrolled in the School Corporation until the beginning of the semester following the end of the expulsion. The length of the expulsion for possession, handling or transmitting a firearm may be reduced by the Superintendent or designee, if the circumstances warrant such reduction. g.) Threatening or intimidating any student for the purpose of or with the intent of obtaining money or anything of value from such student; h.) It shall be grounds for immediate expulsion for any student to knowingly transmit or attempt to transmit any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcohol or other intoxicant, or a stimulant, or a depressant, whether such substance is sold with or without a prescription or is contained on the list of controlled substances issued by the federal government or the state of Indiana. 1.) It shall be sufficient grounds to prove transmitting a substance governed by this regulation if the provider transmits a substance which closely resembles such a substance, or which he/she represents to be such a substance. 2.) It is a violation of this Policy for a student to transmit paraphernalia used with any of the substances listed herein. 3.) A charge of transmitting a substance covered by this subsection shall include a charge of possession of such substance. 4.) For additional information on the Policy regarding substance abuse, see the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policies for Students information in this handbook adopted by the Board of School Trustees in 1985. i.) It shall be grounds for an immediate ten (10) day suspension pending expulsion for any student to knowingly possess, use or be under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcohol or other intoxicant, or a stimulant, or a depressant, whether such substance is sold with or without prescription or is contained on the list of controlled substances issued by the federal government or the state of Indiana. 1.)It shall be sufficient grounds to prove possession or use of a substance governed by this regulation if the student uses or possesses material which closely resembles such a substance or which he/she represents to be such a substance. 2.) It is a violation of this Policy for a student to possess paraphernalia used with any of the substances listed herein. 3.)Use of medication by a student when such medication has been prescribed for that student by a health care provider authorized by law to prescribe mediation does not violate this rule, provided such medication is used by the student in accordance with the School Corporation policy governing the use of prescription drugs while under the jurisdiction of school authorities. 4.) First time offenders, only, determined to be in possession or under the influence of a prohibited substance, as set out herein, shall be immediately suspended for five (5) days pending expulsion; however, an alternative to expulsion shall be offered, by the school administrator to the student and his/her parents or guardian. A student is eligible for participation in this alternative program only one (1) time during his/her total enrollment in the New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation. 5.) Second or repeat offenders determined to be in possession or under the influence of a chemical substance, as set out herein shall be immediately suspended pending expulsion without being offered the alternative educational program. 6.) The alternative offered to first time offenders, by the building administrator, shall involve both the student and parents or guardian in an intensive educational program. This program shall attempt to assist students in maintaining responsible behavior so that they may successfully complete school after experiencing the consequences of their violation of this Policy. 7.) If this alternative is chosen by the student and parents or guardian, the student must attend all sessions of the program. Any cost for the alternative program will be the responsibility of the student’s parents or guardian. 8.) If a student enrolls in the alternative program and then withdraws or otherwise fails to satisfactorily complete the program, the building administrator shall immediately resume the expulsion process for such student. 9.) If the student or his/her parents or guardian do not choose to participate in the alternative educational program, the building administrator shall immediately resume the expulsion process for such student. Such student shall also be referred to the Floyd County Probation Office for any appropriate action. 10.) For additional information on the Policy regarding substance abuse, see the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policies for Students information in this handbook adopted by the Board of School Trustees in 1985. j.)With intent to cause intoxication, euphoria, excitement or a similar condition, ingesting or inhaling, or attempting to ingest or inhale the fumes of model glue or a substance containing toluene, acetone, benzene, N-butyl nitrite or other similar substances. k.) Engaging in a violation of criminal law which constitutes a danger to other students, or constitutes an interference with school purposes or an educational function. l.) Engaging in any activity forbidden by the laws of the state of Indiana, on or off school grounds, if such activity constitutes an interference with school purposes or an educational function. m.) Violating or repeatedly violating any rules that are reasonably necessary in carrying out school purposes or an educational function and are validly adopted under Indiana law. n.) Failing in a substantial number of instances to comply with directions of teachers or other school personnel, during any period of time when the student is properly under their supervision, where such failure constitutes an interference with school purposes or an educational function. o.) Excessive truancy or absence from school without the knowledge and consent of both the parent and the school. p.) A student may be expelled from school if the student’s legal settlement is not in the attendance area of the New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation. q.) Excessive cutting of classes and/or tardiness to classes. r.) While on school grounds during school hours, knowingly possessing or using a laser pointer, and electronic paging device, a handheld portable telephone, or any other electronic communication device in a situation or for a purpose not related to a school program or educational function.