Class III offenses are behaviors that may seriously jeopardize school order and security. School officials will treat these behaviors very seriously. Accordingly, the responses in Class III may include but are not limited to, short-term and/or long-term suspension.

Class III Definitions and Explanations

1. Bullying: Defined as the use of coercion or intimidation to obtain control over another person or to cause physical, mental, or emotional harm to another person. Bullying can occur through written, verbal, or electronically transmitted expressions (i.e., cyberbullying) or by means of a physical act or gesture. Bullying is prohibited against any student for any reason, including but not limited to any such behavior that is directed toward a student on the basis of their academic performance or any basis protected by federal and state law, including disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or the need for special education services, whether such characteristic(s) is actual or perceived. Board Policy JICDE/Board Policy JICDD

2. Stealing/Gross Theft: The unlawful taking or disposition of property of another with intent to deprive the person of the property, without threat, violence or bodily harm. Receiving stolen property or possession of stolen property is included in this offense. Board Policy JICDA

3. Bus – Creating Unsafe Conditions and/or Property Damage: Board Policy JICC-R

Extending hands, heads or objects from the bus.
Failure to Remain Seated on the Bus: Failure to remain seated at all times except when entering or leaving the bus.
Obscene Language or Gestures on the Bus
Tampering with Bus Operating Equipment: Tampering with any of the operating equipment including sitting in the driver’s seat or opening the emergency door.
Throwing Objects from or within the Bus
Verbal Abuse towards the Bus Driver: The use of language or action which includes the use of profane, vulgar, or insulting remarks, gestures, or a statement that is intended to berate the bus driver.
Creating/attempting to create any hazard or damage to the bus.

4. Destructive Device: Possession or handling of an item that looks like or could be considered a weapon (i.e. kitchen, camping, household tools or toy look alike). Possession of a Destructive Device: use or handling of a destructive device on school property or school sponsored event. Use of Destructive Device: Attempted use or use of a destructive device, an instrument or object designed to inflict harm on other persons. Board Policy JKD/JKE-E

6. Tobacco Solicitation/Sale: Selling or purchasing tobacco products, including but not limited to cigarettes, chewing tobacco in or upon school premises.

7. Extortion: The process of obtaining property from another, with or without that person’s consent, by a wrongful use of force, fear, or threat. Board Policy JICDA Board Policy JICDD

8. Assault: Intentionally and knowingly committing a provoked physical attack on another student/staff member. Minor physical contact, such as pushing or shoving, does not constitute assault Board Policy JICDA Board Policy JICDD

9. Fighting: The willful engagement of two or more students in physical combat; this includes while on the school bus. Board Policy JICDA Board Policy JICDD

10. Gang Related Activity: The presence of gangs and gang-related activities, which threaten the safety, or well-being of persons or property on school grounds or at school activities are prohibited. Disciplinary action can be taken against any student wearing, carrying, or displaying gang paraphernalia, or exhibiting behavior or gestures, which symbolize gang membership or causing and/or participating in gang related activities. Board Policy JICF Board Policy JICF-R

11. Graffiti: Individual/School Property: Deface any portion of the interior or exterior of school property or personal property, including the furnishings and equipment housed within or upon the school property. Board Policy JICDA Board Policy JICDD

12. Harassment: Harassment is a type of discriminatory conduct directed at an individual because of his or her race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex/gender, religion, disability or other classification protected by law. Harassment covers a wide range of behaviors of an offensive nature that are sufficiently severe or persistent to interfere with or limit the ability of a student to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or programs of the school or that otherwise create a hostile academic environment. Harassment can include physical contact and verbal or written communications. Board Policy JBB Board Policy JICDA Board Policy JICDD

13. Inciting to Fight: The intentional promotion and/or recording by electronic device by a student to engage another student in a physical conflict, continuous harassment, disruption, or to engage and/or promote other students to engage in a physical conflict or disruption for any purpose or behavior which interferes with the learning of others in a classroom or other learning environment. Board Policy JICDA

14. Intimidation/Threatening of Staff or Student: Physical, verbal, written or electronic action which immediately creates fear of harm, without displaying a weapon and without subjecting the person to actual physical attack, or the doing of any act which creates a well-founded fear within the student or school employee. Board Policy JICDA Board Policy JICDD

15. Leaving School without Permission: The leaving of school grounds during the designated school day without first obtaining permission of the principal or principal’s designated representative. (Parents, for just cause, must give permission for their child to leave school grounds.) Board Policy JHB Board Policy JICDA Board Policy JH

16. Setting Off Falsely or Misuse of Disaster Alarm or Equipment: The intentional activation of false fire alarm or like warning devices (AED)., misuse of 911, discharging a fire extinguisher Board Policy JICDA Board Policy JICDD

17. Sexual Harrassment (Title IX): The board of education is committed to providing a positive and productive learning and working environment, free from discrimination on the basis of sex/gender, including sexual harassment. Harassment based on gender identity or gender expression is expressly prohibited as outlined in this policy. Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other inappropriate oral, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature when made by a member of the school staff to a student or when made by any student to another student when: (1) submission to such conduct is made, explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of the individual’s education; (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic decisions affecting that individual; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual’s academic or professional performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive academic environment. Sexual harassment may result from verbal or physical conduct or written or graphic material. Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to: verbal harassment or abuse; pressure for sexual activity; repeated remarks to a person, with sexual or demeaning implication; unwelcome touching; or suggesting or demanding sexual involvement accompanied by implied or explicit threats concerning a student’s grades, participation in extra-curricular activities, etc. Board Policy JBB Board Policy JICDD Board Policy JICDA

18. Sexual Misconduct: Actual or simulated conduct including but not limited to, fondling, touching, indecent exposure, or the engagement in any sexual act on school property, during school functions, or at school sponsored activities. Board Policy JICDA Board Policy JKBA-R

19. Stalking: Engaging in a course of conduct targeted at a specific person which would cause the targeted person to fear for their safety, or the safety of a member of the person’s immediate family. Board Policy JICDE Board Policy JICDD Board Policy JICDA

20. Trespassing: Unauthorized presence on school property after being warned to leave or not to appear on the property including, but not limited to, while on suspension or after school hours. Board Policy JICDA

21. Vandalism-School Property: The willful or malicious destruction of any school district property. Vandalism includes the destruction of any portion of the interior or exterior of school property, including the furnishings and equipment housed within or upon the school property. Board Policy JICDA Board Policy JICDD Board Policy JKBA-R

22. Vandalism-Personal: Willful destruction or defacement of an individual’s property or property belonging to a group other than the school district. Board Policy JICDA Board Policy JICDD Board Policy JKBA-R

Burlington School District RE-6J

Behavior Matrix

Burlington School District Behavior/Discipline Matrix

Discipline Overview: Offenses/Definitions

Class I Definitions, Explanations and Resolutions

Class II Definitions, Explanations and Resolutions

Class III Definitions, Explanations and Resolutions

Class III Resolutions

Class IV Definitions, Explanations and Resolutions

Class IV Resolutions

K-4 Discipline Matrix Resolutions Summary