ICHABOD CRANE 1520
PUBLIC CONDUCT ON SCHOOL PROPERTY
The district is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, engaging, respectful, orderly environment that is conducive to learning. The district invites the members of the public to join them in the educational process, competitive and artistic events, and other school functions. In order to maintain this kind of an environment, the public must also adhere to the expectations of the district. For purposes of this section of the code, “public” means all persons when on school property or attending a school function including students, teachers and district personnel.
The expectations for the public’s conduct on school property and at school functions are not intended to limit freedom of speech or peaceful assembly, but to support the conducive learning environment, and maintain order, and prevent infringement on the rights of others.
All persons on school property or attending a school function must conduct themselves in a safe, respectful and orderly manner. In addition, all persons on school property or attending a school function are expected to be properly attired for the purpose they are on school property.
A. Prohibited Conduct
No person, either alone or with others, may:
- Intentionally injure any person or threaten to do so, or endanger the safety of themselves or others.
- Intentionally damage or destroy school district property or the personal property of a teacher, administrator, other district employee or any person lawfully on school property, including graffiti or arson.
- Disrupt the orderly conduct of classes, school programs or other school activities.
- Distribute or wear materials on school grounds or at school functions that are obscene, advocate illegal action, appear libelous, obstruct the rights of others, or are disruptive to the school program.
- Intimidate, harass or discriminate against any person on the basis of actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles like braids, locks, and twists), creed, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or gender (including gender identity and expression).
- Enter any portion of the school premises without authorization or remain in any building or facility after it is normally closed.
- Obstruct the free movement of any person in any place to which this code applies.
- Violate the traffic laws, parking regulations or other restrictions on vehicles.
- Possess, consume, sell, offer, manufacture, distribute or exchange alcoholic beverages, controlled or illegal substances or any synthetic versions (whether or not specifically illegal or labeled for human consumption), or be under the influence of either on school property or at a school function.
- Possess or use weapons in or on school property or at a school function, except in the case of law enforcement officers or except as specifically authorized by the school district.
- Loiter on or about school property.
- Gamble on school property or at school functions.
- Refuse to comply with any reasonable order of identifiable school district officials performing their duties.
- Willfully incite others to commit any of the acts prohibited by this code.
- Violate any federal or state statute, local ordinance or Board policy while on school property or while at a school function.
- Smoke a cigarette, cigar, pipe, electronic cigarette (i.e., vape), or use chewing or smokeless tobacco, or smoke/vape/ingest cannabis or concentrated cannabis (includes cannabis products) or smoking cannabinoid hemp (except for lawful medical cannabis use in compliance with state law and regulation). Consequences
B. Consequences
Persons who violate this code will be subject to the following consequences:
- Visitors. Their authorization, if any, to remain on school grounds or at the school function will be withdrawn and they will be directed to leave the premises. If they refuse to leave, they will be subject to ejection.
- Students. They will be subject to disciplinary action as the facts may warrant, in accordance with the due process requirements.
- Tenured faculty members. They will be subject to disciplinary action as the facts may warrant in accordance with Education Law § 3020-a or any other legal rights that they may have.
- Staff members in the classified service of the civil service entitled to the protection of Civil Service Law § 75. They will be subject to immediate ejection and to disciplinary action as the facts may warrant in accordance with Civil Service Law § 75 or any other legal rights that they may have.
- Staff members other than those described in subdivisions 3 and 4. They will be subject to warning, reprimand, suspension or dismissal as the facts may warrant in accordance with any legal rights they may have.
C. Enforcement
The Principal or designee is responsible for enforcing the conduct required by this code.
When the Principal or designee sees an individual engaged in actions not conducive to achieving the goal of making school a community free of violence intimidation, bullying, harassment, and discrimination, misconduct or otherwise not allowed behaviors, which in their judgment does not pose any immediate threat of injury to persons or property, the Principal or designee will tell the individual that the behavior is not allowed and attempt to persuade the individual to stop. The Principal or designee will also warn the individual of the consequences for failing to stop. If the person refuses to stop engaging in the undesired behaviors, or if the person’s actions pose an immediate threat of injury to persons or property, the Principal or designee will have the individual removed immediately from school property or the school function. If necessary, local law enforcement authorities will be contacted to assist in removing the person.
The district will initiate disciplinary action against any student or staff member, as appropriate, with the “Consequences” section above. In addition, the district reserves its right to pursue a civil or criminal legal action against any person violating the code.
Cross ref: 1240-R Visitors to the School Regulation
Ref: Education Law §2801
Mandated Policy
Effective Date: February 6, 2024