School Safety

Safety First... Help keep our schools safe. If you have any information relating to school safety or information that may be useful to school officials, please call the SAFE SCHOOL HOTLINE, 812-542-2230.

Every student is entitled to a safe school environment. Weapons of any sort, including pocket knives, are expressly forbidden. Lighters and matches are also prohibited at school. Students pulling false alarms, starting fires, or phoning in false "911" reports are subject to suspension and/or expulsion from school. Students engaging in fighting or intimidation are also subject to suspension and/or expulsion. Students experiencing conflicts with other students at school that may lead to a fight or physical confrontation are obligated to report that conflict for assistance in resolving the conflict. Students encouraging fighting at school bear responsibility for that behavior and are subject to disciplinary action. This also includes filming disturbances at school. Any action endangering others can be a violation of the school safety policy. All suspensions are reported to law enforcement and students may be subject to arrest. (See also School Bus Safety and School Board Safety Policies.)

Every school in the district has a school safety plan and a school safety committee. Safety drills are practiced throughout the year. Students are expected to remain silent and attentive throughout all drills so that any emergency instructions can be given. Fire drills are practiced monthly. Tornado drills and earthquake drills are practiced once each semester. An earthquake drill can also be a take-cover drill. Take-cover or intruder drills are also practiced once each semester and students are moved quickly out of the halls into the nearest classroom. All classroom and exterior doors are locked until an all-clear is given.

A school resource officer is assigned to all secondary schools from the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department. The Safe School Helpline number is listed below.

School Safety Hotline

SCHOOL SAFETY HELPLINE- The school district has made available the services of a national safe school hotline for parents and students to call to report any safe school issue anonymously. These issues could include acts of vandalism, theft, drug or alcohol use, any form of harassment, violence, suicide or weapons on campus. These reports will be passed on to the appropriate school. Please call the SAFE SCHOOL HOTLINE, 812-542-2230. This is a new number, so please write it down. All information shared will be kept confidential and investigated by school administrators.

School Board Safety Policy

The New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation has adopted a proactive Safety Policy governing students who commit, attempt to commit, or threaten aggressive acts toward persons (students, employees, or visitors) or property. This Policy applies when a student is on a school bus, on school grounds, off school grounds at a school activity, function, or event, and while traveling to and from school or a school activity, function, or event. This Policy may also apply when a student's conduct is unlawful and may reasonably be considered an interference with school purposes or an educational function, when such conduct occurs during weekends, holidays, school recesses, or during the summer when a student may not be attending classes or other school functions. Students who commit these acts will be suspended and may be expelled for up to one school year or one calendar year, in the case of firearms violations. Students will also be referred to the probation office or the prosecutor's office as required or appropriate.

It shall be grounds for an immediate ten day suspension pending expulsion for any student to possess, handle, use, threaten to use, demonstrate the intent to use or transmit weapons, firearms, or explosives. Except in instances involving firearms, upon the recommendation of the building principal, first-time offenders may be given the option of participating in an approved educational/counseling program outside the school corporation. The cost of such outside educational/counseling program shall be the responsibility of the student and the student's parents or guardians. The school corporation may consider a reduction in the length of the expulsion upon satisfactory completion of this program.
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 re-enrolled in the school corporation until the beginning of the semester following the end of the expulsion. The length of expulsion for possession, handling, or transmitting a firearm may be reduced by the superintendent, if the circumstances warrant such a reduction.
First-time offenders who threaten or commit aggressive acts toward persons or property and who are not in possession of and have not handled, used, threatened to use, or transmitted weapons, firearms, or explosives shall be immediately suspended for up to five school days. Such students shall also be required to attend an educational/counseling program offered by the school corporation.
The remainder of this policy notwithstanding, when a first-time offender has engaged in very violent conduct or has continued to demonstrate aggressive behavior after being told by a school employee to cease and desist (students must be able to immediately demonstrate restraint and self-control) such student may be suspended for ten school days pending expulsion without being offered the opportunity to participate in the school corporation's educational/counseling program. Such students may, upon the recommendation of the building principal, be given the option of participating in an approved educational/counseling program outside the school corporation. The cost of such outside educational/counseling program shall be the responsibility of the student and the student's parents or guardians. The school corporation may consider a reduction in the length of the expulsion upon satisfactory completion of this program.
Second offenders who threaten or commit aggressive acts toward persons or property and who are not in possession of and have not handled, used, threatened to use or transmitted weapons, firearms, or explosives shall be immediately suspended for ten school days. Such conduct shall also be grounds for expulsion; however, an educational/counseling alternative to expulsion provided by an approved outside agency may be offered by the building principal to the student and his/her parents or guardians. If the educational/counseling alternative is offered and the student and his/her parents enroll within the five school days after the suspension begins and provide the required documentation of such enrollment, the remaining five school days of suspension will be eliminated.
1. The approved educational/counseling program outside the school corporation shall involve both the students and the parents or guardians in an intensive program. This program will be designed to assist students in successfully managing and resolving conflicts in a nonviolent and non-aggressive manner, so that they may successfully complete school after experiencing the consequences of their violation of this policy.
2. If the outside educational/counseling program is chosen by the student and parents or guardians the student must attend all sessions of the program. Any cost for this program will be the responsibility of the student and the student's parents or guardians.
3. If the student enrolls in the outside educational/counseling program and then withdraws or otherwise fails to satisfactorily complete the program, the building administrator shall immediately resume the expulsion process for such student.
4. If the student or his/her parents or guardians do not choose to participate in the outside educational/counseling program, the building administrator shall immediately resume the expulsion process for such student. Such student shall be referred to the Floyd County Probation Office for any appropriate action.
Students who threaten or commit aggressive acts on more than two occasions at any level of instruction (elementary, middle, or high school) and students who continue to demonstrate aggressive behavior after being told by a school employee to cease and desist (students must be able to immediately demonstrate restraint and self-control) shall be immediately suspended for ten school days pending expulsion. These students may, however, upon the recommendation of the building principal, be offered the opportunity to participate in a corporation-approved outside educational/counseling program. The cost of such program shall be the responsibility of the student and the student's parents or guardians. The school corporation may consider a reduction in the length of the expulsion upon satisfactory completion of this outside educational/counseling program.
If a student's behavior is a criminal act, in addition to school discipline the school may also press charges, or recommend to the offended party that they press charges, against such student via the juvenile justice system.

Common School Safety Questions

What is the school safety policy? The New Albany Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation has adopted a pro-active safety policy governing students who commit, attempt to commit, or threaten aggressive acts toward persons (students, employees, or visitors) or property.
When is the policy in effect? The policy applies when a student is on a school bus, on school grounds, off school grounds at a school activity, function, or event, and while traveling to and from school or a school activity, function, or event. This policy may also apply when a student's conduct is unlawful and may reasonably be considered an interference with school purposes or an educational function, when such conduct occurs during weekends, holidays, school recesses, or during summer when a student may not be attending classes or other school functions.
What are the consequences for violation of this policy? Students who commit such acts will be suspended and may be expelled for up to one (1) school year or one (1) calendar year, in the case of firearms violations. Students will also be referred to the Probation Office or the Prosecutor's Office as required or appropriate.
Is there a specific law relating to consequences of bringing a firearm onto school property or to a school event? Under Indiana law, I.C. 35-47-1-5, 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.
What about weapons or explosives other than firearms? It shall be grounds for an immediate ten (10) day suspension pending expulsion for any student to possess, handle, use, threaten to use or transmit weapons and explosives. First-time offenders may be given the option of participating in an approved educational/counseling program outside the School Corporation.
Who pays for the educational/counseling program? The cost of such a program shall be the responsibility of the student and the student's parents or guardians.
What about students who threaten or commit aggressive acts toward people or property and who are not in possession of a weapon? Such first-time offenders shall be immediately suspended for up to five (5) school days. These students shall also be required to attend an educational/counseling program offered at the student's school. However, when a first time offender has engaged in very violent conduct or has continued to demonstrate aggressive behavior after being told by a school employee to cease and desist, such student may be suspended for ten (10) school days pending expulsion without being offered the opportunity to participate in an educational/counseling program at the student's school. Such students may be given the option of participating in an approved educational/counseling program outside the School Corporation. The cost of such outside program shall be the responsibility of the student and the student's parents or guardians.
What about students who threaten or commit aggressive acts toward persons or property for the second time? Second offenders who threaten or commit aggressive acts toward people or property and have not possessed or used weapons, firearms, or explosives shall be immediately suspended for ten (10) days. Such conduct is also grounds for expulsion; however, an educational/counseling program by an approved outside agency may be offered. If this alternative is offered and the student and his/her parents enroll within the five (5) school days after the suspension begins, the remaining five (5) school days of suspension will be eliminated. Written documentation of enrollment must be provided before the remaining five (5) days of suspension are eliminated.
What is the purpose of the educational/counseling program offered at approved agencies outside the School Corporation? The program is designed to assist students in successfully managing and resolving conflicts in a non-violent and non-aggressive manner, so that they may successfully complete school after experiencing the consequences of their violation of this Policy. The program involves both the student and parent in an intensive, weekly program consisting of eight required sessions.
What happens if the student or his/her parents are offered the outside educational/counseling program but do not choose to participate? The building administrator shall immediately resume the expulsion process for such a student. The student shall also be referred to the Floyd County Probation Office for any appropriate action.
What about students who threaten or commit aggressive acts on more than two (2) occasions?
Students who threaten or commit aggressive acts on more than two (2) occasions at any level of instruction (elementary, middle, or high school) shall be immediately suspended for ten (10) school days pending expulsion. These students may be offered the opportunity to participate in an outside education/counseling program at an approved agency.
Will students who violate the School Corporation’s safety policy face other consequences in addition to school discipline?
If a student's behavior is a criminal act, in addition to school discipline, the School Corporation may also press charges, or recommend to the offended party that they press charges, against such student via the juvenile justice system.
If a student or parent does not understand this policy or has other questions, who can they ask? School principals, assistant principals, and counselors are available to discuss any questions and/or provide explanations.

School Bus Safety Code

As are parents and students, the New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation and its officials, the transportation fleet and the school bus drivers, are interested in obtaining optimum safety for all the students who ride busses. It takes the earnest cooperation of students, parents, principals, and bus drivers to achieve this prime goal in pupil transportation. All school children, while being transported on a school bus, shall be under the supervision, direction, and control of the school bus driver, and shall be subject to the discipline of the bus driver and the governing body of the school corporation. The following rules have been instituted for the safety and comfort of our children and the efficient operation of our bus fleet.

Students must do the following:

Beat their bus pickups ON TIME. An EARLY START will assure this.
Wait their turns to load and unload the bus. Avoid standing or playing on the road while waiting for the bus.
Obey the bus driver (and bus patrols) promptly and cheerfully. Realize they have a big responsibility and that it is their job to help.
Knowing that bus transportation is scheduled to move students from one point to another SAFELY and in conformance with a definite schedule, students must understand that ANYTHING that can be done to maximize safety should be their concern.
Watch their steps getting to and from the stop and on and off the bus. Where there are no sidewalks, students should walk on the edge of the road FACING oncoming traffic.
Show consideration for the property where their bus stops are located. Damage and destruction at "stops" result in the discontinuance of these "stops."
NOTHING (arms, hands, heads, books, etc.) shall be allowed to protrude from open windows on the bus. Windows may ONLY be opened or closed with the permission of the bus driver. FEET should be kept on the floor at the seats and not protrude into aisles of the bus.
Horseplay, littering, loud and boisterous conduct on the bus will not be allowed. This type of conduct distracts a driver and may result in