Students

Attendance

Suspension and Expulsion

A. Development of Uniform Discipline System. It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent to develop and maintain a system of uniform discipline. The discipline which may be imposed includes actions which are determined to be reasonably necessary to aid the student, to further school purposes, or to prevent interference with the educational process, such as (without limitation) counseling and warning students, parent contacts and parent conferences, rearrangement of schedules, requirements that a student remain in school after regular hours to do additional work, restriction of extracurricular activity, or requirements that a student receive counseling upon written consent of the parent or guardian, or in-school suspension. The discipline may also include out-of-school suspension (short-term or long-term) and expulsion.

1. Short-Term Suspension: Students may be excluded by the Principal or the Principal’s designee from school or any school function for a period of up to five school days (short-term suspension) on the following grounds:

a. Conduct that constitutes grounds for expulsion, whether the conduct occurs on or off school grounds; or

b. Other violations of rules and standards of behavior adopted by the Board of Education or the administrative or teaching staff of the school, which occur on or off school grounds, if such conduct interferes with school purposes or there is a nexus between such conduct and school.

The following process will apply to short-term suspensions:

a. The Principal or the Principal’s designee will make a reasonable investigation of the facts and circumstances. A short-term suspension will be made upon a determination that the suspension is necessary to help any student, to further school purposes, or to prevent an interference with school purposes.

b. Prior to commencement of the short-term suspension, the student will be given oral or written notice of the charges against the student. The student will be advised of what the student is accused of having done, an explanation of the evidence the authorities have, and be afforded an opportunity to explain the student's version of the facts.

c. Within 24 hours or such additional time as is reasonably necessary following the suspension, the Principal or administrator will send a written statement to the student and the student's parent or guardian describing the student's conduct, misconduct or violation of the rule or standard and the reasons for the action taken.

d. An opportunity will be given to the student, and the student's parent or guardian, to have a conference with the Principal or administrator ordering the short-term suspension before or at the time the student returns to school. The Principal or administrator shall determine who in addition to the parent or guardian is to attend the conference.

e. A student who on a short-term suspension shall not be permitted to be on school grounds without the express permission of the Principal.

2. Long-Term Suspension: A long-term suspension means an exclusion from school and any school functions for a period of more than five school days but less then twenty school days. A student who on a long-term suspension shall not be permitted to be on school grounds without the express permission of the Principal. A notice will be given to the student and the parents/guardian when the Principal recommends a long-term suspension. The notice will include a description of the procedures for long-term suspension; the procedures will be those set forth in the Student Discipline Act.

3. Expulsion:

a. Meaning of Expulsion. Expulsion means exclusion from attendance in all schools, grounds and activities of or within the system for a period not to exceed the remainder of the semester in which it took effect unless the misconduct occurred (a) within ten school days prior to the end of the first semester, in which case the expulsion shall remain in effect through the second semester, or (b) within ten school days prior to the end of the second semester, in which case the expulsion shall remain in effect for summer school and the first semester of the following school year, or (c) unless the expulsion is for conduct specified in these rules or in law as permitting or requiring a longer removal, in which case the expulsion shall remain in effect for the period specified therein. Such action may be modified or terminated by the school district at any time during the expulsion period. A student who has been expelled shall not be permitted to be on school grounds without the express permission of the Principal. A notice will be given to the student and the parents/guardian when the Principal recommends an expulsion. The notice will include a description of the procedures for expulsion; the procedures will be those set forth in the Student Discipline Act.

b. Suspensions Pending Hearing. When a notice of intent to discipline a student by long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment is filed with the superintendent, the student may be suspended by the principal until the date the long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment takes effect if no hearing is requested or, if a hearing is requested, the date the hearing examiner makes the report of his or her findings and a recommendation of the action to be taken to the superintendent, if the principal determines that the student must be suspended immediately to prevent or substantially reduce the risk of (a) interference with an educational function or school purpose or (b) a personal injury to the student himself or herself, other students, school employees, or school volunteers.

c. Summer Review. Any expulsion that will remain in effect during the first semester of the following school year will be automatically scheduled for review before the beginning of the school year in accordance with law.

d. Alternative Education: Students who are expelled may be provided an alternative education program that will enable the student to continue academic work for credit toward graduation. In the event an alternative education program is not provided, a conference will be held with the parent, student, the Principal or another school representative assigned by the Principal, and a representative of a community organization that assists young people or that is involved with juvenile justice to develop a plan for the student in accordance with law.

e. Suspension of Enforcement of an Expulsion: Enforcement of an expulsion action may be suspended (i.e., “stayed”) for a period of not more than one full semester in addition to the balance of the semester in which the expulsion takes effect. As a condition of such suspended action, the student and parents will be required to sign a discipline agreement.

f. Students Subject to Juvenile or Court Probation. Prior to the readmission to school of any student who is less than nineteen years of age and who is subject to the supervision of a juvenile probation officer or an adult probation officer pursuant to the order of the District Court, County Court, or Juvenile Court, who chooses to meet conditions of probation by attending school, and who has previously been expelled from school, the Principal or the Principal’s designee shall meet with the student's probation officer and assist in developing conditions of probation that will provide specific guidelines for behavior and consequences for misbehavior at school (including conduct on school grounds and conduct during an educational function or event off school grounds) as well as educational objectives that must be achieved. If the guidelines, consequences, and objectives provided by the Principal or the Principal’s designee are agreed to by the probation officer and the student, and the court permits the student to return to school under the agreed to conditions, the student may be permitted to return to school. The student may with proper consent, upon such return, be evaluated by the school for possible disabilities and may be referred for evaluation for possible placement in a special education program. The student may be expelled or otherwise disciplined for subsequent conduct as provided in Board policy and state statute.

4. Other Forms of Student Discipline: Administrative and teaching personnel may also take actions regarding student behavior, other than removal of students from school, which are reasonably necessary to aid the student, further school purposes, or prevent interference with the educational process. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, counseling of students, parent conferences, rearrangement of schedules, requirements that a student remain in school after regular hours to do additional work, restriction of extracurricular activity, or requirements that a student receive counseling, psychological evaluation, or psychiatric evaluation upon the written consent of a parent or guardian to such counseling or evaluation. The actions may also include in-school suspensions. When in-school suspensions, after-school assignments, or other disciplinary measures are assigned, the student is responsible for complying with such disciplinary measures. A failure to serve such assigned discipline as directed will serve as grounds for further discipline, up to expulsion from school.

B. Student Conduct Expectations. Students are not to engage in conduct which causes or which creates a reasonable likelihood that it will cause a substantial disruption in or material interference with any school function, activity or purpose or interfere with the health, safety, well being or rights of other students, staff or visitors.

C. Grounds for Short-Term Suspension, Long-Term Suspension, Expulsion or Mandatory Reassignment. The following conduct has been determined by the Board of Education to have the potential to seriously affect the health, safety or welfare of students, staff and other persons or to otherwise seriously interfere with the educational process. Such conduct constitutes grounds for long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment, and any other lesser forms of discipline. The conduct is subject to the consequence of long-term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment where it occurs on school grounds, in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by the school and being used for a school purpose or in a vehicle being driven for a school purpose by a school employee or an employee’s designee, or at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event.

1. Willfully disobeying any reasonable written or oral request of a school staff member, or the voicing of disrespect to those in authority.

2. Use of violence, force, coercion, threat, intimidation, harassment, or similar conduct in a manner that constitutes a substantial interference with school purposes or making any communication that a reasonable recipient would interpret as a serious expression of an intent to harm or cause injury to another.

3. Willfully causing or attempting to cause substantial damage to property, stealing or attempting to steal property of substantial value, repeated damage or theft involving property, or setting or attempting to set a fire of any magnitude.

4. Causing or attempting to cause personal injury to any person, including any school employee, school volunteer, or student. Personal injury caused by accident, self-defense, or other action undertaken on the reasonable belief that it was necessary to protect some other person shall not constitute a violation of this subdivision.

5. Threatening or intimidating any student for the purpose of or with the intent of obtaining money or anything of value from such student or making a threat which causes or may be expected to cause a disruption to school operations.

6. Knowingly possessing, handling, or transmitting any object or material that is ordinarily or generally considered a weapon or that has the appearance of a weapon or bringing or possessing any explosive device, including fireworks.

7. Engaging in selling, using, possessing or dispensing of alcohol, tobacco, narcotics, drugs, controlled substance, or an inhalant; being under the influence of any of the above; possession of drug paraphernalia, or the selling, using, possessing, or dispensing of an imitation controlled substance as defined in section 28-401 of the Nebraska statutes, or material represented to be alcohol, narcotics, drugs, a controlled substance or inhalant. Tobacco means any tobacco product (including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco), vapor products (such as e-cigarettes), alternative nicotine products, tobacco product look-alikes, and products intended to replicate tobacco products either by appearance or effect. Use of a controlled substance in the manner prescribed for the student by the student’s physician is not a violation. The term “under the influence” has a less strict meaning than it does under criminal law; for school purposes, the term means any level of impairment and includes even the odor of alcohol or illegal substances on the breath or person of a student; also, it includes being impaired by reason of the abuse of any material used as a stimulant.

8. Public indecency or sexual conduct.

9. Engaging in bullying, which includes any ongoing pattern of physical, verbal, or electronic abuse on school grounds, in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by a school being used for a school purpose by a school employee or a school employee’s designee, or at school-sponsored activities or school-sponsored athletic events.

10. Sexually assaulting or attempting to sexually assault any person. This conduct may result in an expulsion regardless of the time or location of the offense if a complaint alleging such conduct is filed in a court of competent jurisdiction.

11. Engaging in any activity forbidden by law which constitutes a danger to other students or interferes with school purposes. This conduct may result in an expulsion regardless of the time or location of the offense if the conduct creates or had the potential to create a substantial interference with school purposes, such as the use of the telephone or internet off-school grounds to threaten.

12. A repeated violation of any rules established by the school district or school officials if such violations constitute a substantial interference with school purposes.

13. Truancy or failure to attend assigned classes or assigned activities; or tardiness to school, assigned classes or assigned activities.

14. The use of language, written or oral, or conduct, including gestures, which is profane or abusive to students or staff members. Profane or abusive language or conduct includes, but is not limited to, that which is commonly understood and intended to be derogatory toward a group or individual based upon race, gender, disability, national origin, or religion.

15. Dressing or grooming in a manner which is dangerous to the student's health and safety or a danger to the health and safety of others or repeated violations of the student dress and grooming standards; dressing, grooming, or engaging in speech that is lewd or indecent, vulgar or plainly offensive; dressing, grooming, or engaging in speech that school officials reasonably conclude will materially and substantially disrupt the work and discipline of the school; dressing, grooming, or engaging in speech that a reasonable observer would interpret as advocating illegal drug use.

16. Willfully violating the behavioral expectations for riding school buses or vehicles.

17. A student who engages in the following conduct shall be expelled for the remainder of the school year in which it took effect if the misconduct occurs during the first semester, and if the expulsion for such conduct takes place during the second semester, the expulsion shall remain in effect for the first semester of the following school year, with the condition that such action may be modified or terminated by the school district during the expulsion period on such terms as the administration may establish:

a. The knowing and intentional use of force in causing or attempting to cause personal injury to a school employee, school volunteer, or student, except if caused by accident, self-defense, or on the reasonable belief that the force used was necessary to protect some other person and the extent of force used was reasonably believed to be necessary, or

b. The knowing and intentional possession, use, or transmission of a dangerous weapon other than a firearm.

18. Knowingly and intentionally possessing, using, or transmitting a firearm on school grounds, in a school-owned or utilized vehicle, or during an educational function or event off school grounds, or at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event. This conduct shall result in an expulsion for one calendar year. “Firearm” means a firearm as defined in 18 U.S.C. 921, as that statute existed on January 1, 1995. That statute includes the following statement: “The term ‘firearm’ means (a) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; (b) the frame or receiver of any such weapon; (c) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or (d) any destructive device.” The Superintendent may modify such one year expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis, provided that such modification is in writing.

Bringing a firearm or other dangerous weapon to school for any reason is discouraged; however, a student will not be subject to disciplinary action if the item is brought or possessed under the following conditions:

a. Prior written permission to bring the firearm or other dangerous weapon to school is obtained from the student's teacher, building administrator and parent.

b. The purpose of having the firearm or other dangerous weapon in school is for a legitimate educational function.

c. A plan for its transportation into and from the school, its storage while in the school building and how it will be displayed must be developed with the prior written approval by the teacher and building administrator. Such plan shall require that such item will be in the possession of an adult staff member at all times except for such limited time as is necessary to fulfill the educational function.

d. The firearm or other dangerous weapon shall be in an inoperable condition while it is on school grounds.

D. Additional Student Conduct Expectations and Grounds for Discipline. The following additional student conduct expectations are established. Failure to comply with such rules is grounds for disciplinary action. When such conduct occurs on school grounds, in a vehicle owned, leased, or contracted by a school being used for a school purpose or in a vehicle being driven for a school purpose by a school employee or by his or her designee, or at a school-sponsored activity or athletic event, the conduct is grounds for long-term suspension, expulsion or mandatory reassignment.

1. Student Appearance: Students are expected to dress in a way that is appropriate for the school setting. Students should not dress in a manner that is dangerous to the health and safety of anyone or interferes with the learning environment or teaching process in our school. Following is a list of examples of attire that will not be considered appropriate, such list is not exclusive and other forms of attire deemed inappropriate by the administration may be deemed inappropriate for the school setting:

a. Clothing that shows an inappropriate amount of bare skin or underwear (midriffs, spaghetti straps, sagging pants) or clothing that is too tight, revealing or baggy, or tops and bottoms that do not overlap or any material that is sheer or lightweight enough to be seen through, or otherwise of an appropriate size and fit so as to be revealing or drag on the ground.

b. Shorts, skirts, or skorts that do not reach mid-thigh or longer.

c. Clothing or jewelry that advertises or promotes beer, alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs.

d. Clothing, jewelry and/or piercings that could be used as a weapon (chains, spiked apparel) or that would encourage “horse-play” or that would damage property (e.g. cleats) or that would create a disruption and/or potentially cause injury.

e. Head wear including hats, caps, bandannas, and scarves.

f. Clothing, jewelry or body art which exhibits nudity, makes sexual references or carries lewd, indecent, or vulgar double meaning.

g. Clothing or jewelry that is gang related.

Consideration will be made for students who wear special clothing as required by religious beliefs, disability, or to convey a particularized message protected by law. The final decision regarding attire and grooming will be made by the Principal or Superintendent. In the event a student is uncertain as to whether a particular item or method of grooming is consistent with the school’s guidelines, the student should contact the Principal for approval, and may also review such additional posting of prohibited items or grooming which may be available in the Principal’s office.

Coaches, sponsors or teachers may have additional requirements for students who are in special lab classes, students who are participants in performing groups or students who are representing the school as part of an extracurricular activity program.

On a first offense of the dress code, the student may call home for proper apparel. If clothes cannot be brought to school, the student will be assigned to in-school suspension for the remainder of the day. Students will not be allowed to leave campus to change clothes. Continual violations of the dress code will result in more stringent disciplinary actions, up to expulsion. Further, in the event the dress code violation is determined to also violate other student conduct rules (e.g., public indecency, insubordination, expression of profanity, and the like), a first offense of the dress code may result in more stringent discipline, up to expulsion.

2. Academic Integrity.

a. Policy Statement: Students are expected to abide by the standards of academic integrity established by their teachers and school administration. Standards of academic integrity are established in order for students to learn as much as possible from instruction, for students to be given grades which accurately reflect the student’s level of learning and progress, to provide a level playing field for all students, and to develop appropriate values.

Cheating and plagiarism violate the standards of academic integrity. Sanctions will be imposed against students who engage in such conduct.

b. Definitions: The following definitions provide a guide to the standards of academic integrity:

(1) “Cheating” means intentionally misrepresenting the source, nature, or other conditions of academic work so as to accrue undeserved credit, or to cooperate with someone else in such misrepresentation. Such misrepresentations may, but need not necessarily, involve the work of others. Cheating includes, but is not limited to:

(a) Tests (includes tests, quizzes and other examinations or academic performances):

(i) Advance Information: Obtaining, reviewing or sharing copies of tests or information about a test before these are distributed for student use by the instructor. For example, a student engages in cheating if, after having taken a test, the student informs other students in a later section of the questions that appear on the test.

(ii) Use of Unauthorized Materials: Using notes, textbooks, pre-programmed formulae in calculators, or other unauthorized material, devices or information while taking a test except as expressly permitted. For example, except for “open book” tests, a student engages in cheating if the student looks at personal notes or the textbook during the test.

(iii) Use of Other Student Answers: Copying or looking at another student’s answers or work, or sharing answers or work with another student, when taking a test, except as expressly permitted. For example, a student engages in cheating if the student looks at another student’s paper during a test. A student also engages in cheating if the student tells another student answers during a test or while exiting the testing room, or knowingly allows another student to look at the student’s answers on the test paper.

(iv) Use of Other Student to Take Test. Having another person take one's place for a test, or taking a test for another student, without the specific knowledge and permission of the instructor.

(v) Misrepresenting Need to Delay Test. Presenting false or incomplete information in order to postpone or avoid the taking of a test. For example, a student engages in cheating if the student misses class on the day of a test, claiming to be sick, when the student’s real reason for missing class was because the student was not prepared for the test.

(b) Papers (includes papers, essays, lab projects, and other similar academic work):

i) Use of Another’s Paper: Copying another student’s paper, using a paper from an essay writing service, or allowing another student to copy a paper, without the specific knowledge and permission of the instructor.

(ii) Re-use of One’s Own Papers: Using a substantial portion of a piece of work previously submitted for another course or program to meet the requirements of the present course or program without notifying the instructor to whom the work is presented.

(iii) Assistance from Others: Having another person assist with the paper to such an extent that the work does not truly reflect the student’s work. For example, a student engages in cheating if the student has a draft essay reviewed by the student’s parent or sibling, and the essay is substantially re-written by the student’s parent or sibling. Assistance from home is encouraged, but the work must remain the student’s.

(iv) Failure to Contribute to Group Projects. Accepting credit for a group project in which the student failed to contribute a fair share of the work.

(v) Misrepresenting Need to Delay Paper. Presenting false or incomplete information in order to postpone or avoid turning in a paper when due. For example, a student engages in cheating if the student misses class on the day a paper is due, claiming to be sick, when the student’s real reason for missing class was because the student had not finished the paper.

(c) Alteration of Assigned Grades. Any unauthorized alteration of assigned grades by a student in the teacher’s grade book or the school records is a serious form of cheating.

(2) “Plagiarism” means to take and present as one's own a material portion of the ideas or words of another or to present as one's own an idea or work derived from an existing source without full and proper credit to the source of the ideas, words, or works. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

(a) Failure to Credit Sources: Copying work (words, sentences, and paragraphs or illustrations or models) directly from the work of another without proper credit. Academic work frequently involves use of outside sources. To avoid plagiarism, the student must either place the work in quotations or give a citation to the outside source.

(b) Falsely Presenting Work as One’s Own: Presenting work prepared by another in final or draft form as one's own without citing the source, such as the use of purchased research papers or use of another student’s paper.

(3) “Contributing” to academic integrity violations means to participate in or assist another in cheating or plagiarism. It includes but is not limited to allowing another student to look at your test answers, to copy your papers or lab projects, and to fail to report a known act of cheating or plagiarism to the instructor or administration.

c. Sanctions: The following sanctions will occur when a student engages in cheating, plagiarism, or contributing to an academic integrity offense:

(1) Academic Sanction. The instructor will refuse to accept the student’s work in which the academic integrity offense took place, assign a grade of "F" or zero for the work, and require the student to complete a test or project in place of the work within such time and under such conditions as the instructor may determine appropriate. In the event the student completes the replacement test or project at a level meeting minimum performance standards, the instructor will assign a grade which the instructor determines to be appropriate for the work.

(2) Report to Parents and Administration. The instructor will notify the Principal of the offense and the instructor or Principal will notify the student’s parents or guardian.

(3) Student Discipline Sanctions. Academic integrity offenses are a violation of school rules. The Principal may recommend sanctions in addition to those assigned by the instructor, up to and including suspension or expulsion. Such additional sanctions will be given strong consideration where a student has engaged in serious or repeated academic integrity offense or other rule violations, and where the academic sanction is otherwise not a sufficient remedy, such as for offenses involving altering assigned grades or contributing to academic integrity violations.

3. Electronic Devices

a. Philosophy and Purpose. The use of electronic devices can be disruptive to the educational process and are items that are frequently lost or stolen. In order to maintain a secure and orderly learning environment, and to promote respect and courtesy regarding the use of electronic devices, the District hereby establishes the following rules and regulations governing student use of electronic devices, and procedures to address student misuse of electronic devices.

b. Definitions.

(1) “Electronic devices” include, but are not limited to, cell phones, Mp3 players, iPods, personal digital assistants (PDAs), compact disc players, portable game consoles, cameras, digital scanners, lap top computers, and other electronic or battery powered instruments which transmit voice, text, or data from one person to another.

(2) “Sexting” means generating, sending or receiving, encouraging others to send or receive, or showing others, through an electronic device, a text message, photograph, video or other medium that:

(i) Displays sexual content, including erotic nudity, any display of genitalia, unclothed female breasts, or unclothed buttocks, or any sexually explicit conduct as defined at Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1463.02; or

(ii) Sexually exploits a person, whether or not such person has given consent to creation or distribution of the message, photograph or video by permitting, allowing, encouraging, disseminating, distributing, or forcing such student or other person to engage in sexually explicit, obscene or pornographic photography, films, or depictions; or,

(iii) Displays a sexually explicit message for sexual gratification, flirtation or provocation, or to request or arrange a sexual encounter.

c. Possession and Use of Electronic Devices.

(1) Students are not permitted to display or use any electronic devices during class time. Cell phone usage is strictly prohibited during any class period; including voice usage, digital imaging, or text messaging.

(2) Students are permitted to possess and use electronic devices before school hours, during passing periods, at lunch time, and after school hours, provided that the student not commit any abusive use of the device (see paragraph (d)(1). Administrators have the discretion to prohibit student possession or use of electronic devices on school grounds during these times in the event the administration determines such further restrictions are appropriate; an announcement will be given in the event of such a change in permitted use.

(3) Electronic devices may be used during class time when specifically approved by the teacher or a school administrator in conjunction with appropriate and authorized class or school activities or events (i.e., student use of a camera during a photography class; student use of a lap top computer for a class presentation).

(4) Students may use electronic devices during class time when authorized pursuant to an Individual Education Plan (IEP), a Section 504 Accommodation Plan, or a Health Care Plan, or pursuant to a plan developed with the student’s parent when the student has a compelling need to have the device (e.g., a student whose parent is in the hospital could be allowed limited use of the cell phone for family contacts, so the family can give the student updates on the parent’s condition).

d. Violations

(1) Prohibited Use of Electronic Devices: Students shall not use electronic devices for: (a) activities which disrupt the educational environment; (b) illegal activities in violation of state or federal laws or regulations; (c) unethical activities, such as cheating on assignments or tests; (d) immoral or pornographic activities; (e) activities in violation of Board or school policies and procedures relating to student conduct and harassment; (f) recording others (photographs, videotaping, sound recording, etc.) without direct administrative approval and consent of the person(s) being recorded, other than recording of persons participating in school activities that are open to the public; (g) “sexting;” or (h) activities which invade the privacy of others. Such student misuses will be dealt with as serious school violations, and immediate and appropriate disciplinary action will be imposed, including, but not limited to, suspension and expulsion from school.

(2) Disposition of Confiscated Electronic Devices: Electronic devices possessed or used in violation of this policy may be confiscated by school personnel and returned to the student or parent/guardian at an appropriate time.

(3) Penalties for Prohibited Use of Electronic Devices: Students who receive a “sexting” message are to report the matter to a school administrator and then delete such message from their electronic device. Students shall not participate in sexting or have any “sexting” message on their electronic devices regardless of when the message was received while on school grounds or at a school activity. Students who violate the prohibitions of this policy shall be subject to the imposition of appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion.

(4) Reporting to Law Enforcement: Violations of this policy regarding the prohibited use of electronic devices that may constitute a violation of federal or state laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the Nebraska Child Protection Act or the Nebraska Child Pornography Prevention Act shall be reported to appropriate legal authorities and law enforcement.

e. Responsibility for Electronic Devices. Students or their parents/guardians are expected to claim a confiscated electronic device within ten (10) days of the date it was relinquished. The school shall not be responsible, financially or otherwise, for any unclaimed electronic devices. By bringing such devices to school, students and parents authorize the school to dispose of unclaimed devices at the end of each semester. The District is not responsible for the security and safekeeping of students’ electronic devices and is not financially responsible for any damage, destruction, or loss of electronic devices.

E. Inappropriate Public Displays of Affection (IPDA): Students are not to engage in inappropriate public displays of affection on school property or at school activities. Such conduct includes kissing, touching, fondling or other displays of affection that would be reasonably considered to be embarrassing or a distraction to others. Students who violate the prohibitions of the policy shall be subject to the imposition of appropriate disciplinary action.

If this type of behavior continues, or if the IPDA is lewd or constitutes sexual conduct, the student could face long-term suspension or expulsion.

G. Law Violations

1. Cases of law violations or suspected law violations by students will be reported to the police and to the student's parents or guardian as soon as possible.

2. When a principal or other school official releases a minor student to a peace officer (e.g., police officer, sheriff, and all other persons with similar authority to make arrests) for the purpose of removing the minor from the school premises, the principal or other school official shall take immediate steps to notify the parent,

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guardian, or responsible relative of the minor regarding the release of the minor to the officer and regarding the place to which the minor is reportedly being taken, except when a minor has been taken into custody as a victim of suspected child abuse, in which case the principal or other school official shall provide the peace officer with the address and telephone number of the minor's parents or guardian.

3. In an effort to demonstrate that student behavior is always subject to possible legal sanctions regardless of where the behavior occurs it is the District’s policy to notify the proper legal authorities when a student engages in any of the following behaviors on school grounds or at a school sponsored event:

(a) Knowingly possessing illegal drugs or alcohol.

(b) Aggravated or felonious assault.

(c) Vandalism resulting in significant property damage.

(d) Theft of school or personal property of a significant nature.

(e) Automobile accident.

(f) Any other behavior which significantly threatens the health or safety of students or other persons, and such other offenses which are required to be reported by law.

When appropriate, it shall be the responsibility of the referring administrator to contact the student's parent of the fact that the referral to legal authorities has been or will be made.

Legal Reference: Neb. Rev. Stat. '' 79-254 to 79-296

Date of Adoption: July 17, 2006

Revised : June 16, 2014