Policy-Code-JK

Section J - Students

Policy Title: Student Discipline
Policy Code: JK

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Pursuant to A.R.S. 15-841, teachers may remove a pupil from the classroom if the teacher has documented that the pupil’s behavior is so unruly, disruptive, or abusive, that the teacher is unable to communicate effectively with the other pupils in the classroom or that the other pupils are unable to learn as a result of the pupil’s conduct.  If the teacher objects to the readmission of the pupil to the classroom, a placement review committee as set forth in Article Fourteen (14) of the Consensus Agreement shall convene to determine whether the pupil’s return to that classroom is the best or only practicable alternative.

Student Discipline

The Student Code of Conduct  describing this policy and the disciplinary procedures utilized by the District shall be made available to all students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) as required by A.R.S. §15-843.  All disciplinary actions shall be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct which is incorporated herein by reference. 

The Student Code of Conduct is in force during regular school hours, while being transported on the school bus, and at times and places where appropriate school administrators have jurisdiction over students, including, but not necessarily limited to school-sponsored events, field trips, athletic functions, going to and from school and other activities.  Additionally, the principal is authorized to take administrative action when a student's misconduct away from school has a detrimental effect on the other students or on the orderly educational process.

To ensure fairness, a student whose conduct may warrant discipline, suspension or expulsion will be provided due process as required by law.  The Superintendent is responsible for establishing Administrative Regulations that set forth the discipline process including the process for hearing and appealing long-term suspensions or expulsions and for ensuring appropriate staff training on these procedures.

Tucson Unified supports the American Heart Association’s supportive disciplinary approaches to tobacco infractions (Policy JICG). The Governing Board delegates responsibility for the oversight of this process to the Superintendent to ensure that law enforcement and school resource officers will not be included in the disciplinary process in those situations where the highest-level infraction violates only the tobacco policy (JICG).

Students with disabilities – Because the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires additional procedural safeguards, all district personnel administering discipline to students will always follow discipline procedures for students with disabilities when dealing with a student in the exceptional education programs or Section 504.  (See Student Code of Conduct and the Section 504 and Exceptional Education Procedures Manuals.)
           
            The following school officials have the authority to suspend the student from school in order to enforce acceptable standards of conduct.  The Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, Principals, Assistant Principals and Principal Designees are authorized to suspend students. 

            All suspensions shall be reported within five days to the Governing Board.
           
Expulsion

Expulsion is the permanent withdrawal of the privilege of attending any school in the district unless the Governing Board reinstates the student’s privilege to attend school in the district.  Only the Governing Board may expel a student.

Adopted:        August 16, 1960
Revised:        October 21, 1969
Revised:        January 19, 1971
Revised:        December 17, 1974
Revised:        March 21, 1978
Revised:        August 29, 1978
Revised:        October 17, 1978
Revised:        August 16, 1983
Revised:        April 8, 1986
Revised:        September 15, 1987
Revised:        November 22, 1988
Revised:        July 11, 1989
Revised:        July 9, 1991
Revised:        June 9, 1992
Revised:        October 5, 1992
Revised:        May 25, 1995
Revised:        January 14, 2003
Revised:        March 24, 2009 [Effective beginning with disciplinary infractions in the 2009-2010 school year.]
Revised:        December 5, 2012 [Cross Reference Correction Only]
Revised:        October 14, 2014
Revised:        January 11, 2022