The School Board updated the handbooks to change the word “administrator” to “principal” or “superintendent” as appropriate.

The School Board updated the handbooks to change the word “administrator” to “principal” or “superintendent” as appropriate.

The School Board voted to update the Discipline Policy for 3rd-12th to the following:

Disciplinary Policy (3rd – 12th)                                                                          

In the classroom, the teacher is responsible for maintaining discipline.  If a student’s actions are disruptive or inappropriate, the teacher should take reasonable steps to address the situation.  If the student continues to disrupt, the teacher will give the student a written warning using the school form. This warning needs to be signed by the teacher and student, and given to the principal to be placed in the student’s file.

When the principal receives a warning slip, he/she will address the issue as appropriate for the situation. It is likely that the principal will contact the parents either by phone or email. Then, under the guidance of the principal, an appropriate plan for any discipline and restoration will be worked out. This could include lunch detention, requiring counseling, mentoring by a youth leader, local church and home accountability, community service, detention, in-school or out-of-school suspension, suspension from latchkey, academic penalties, athletic or extra-curricular ineligibility and in some extreme cases, expulsion. 

The nature of some offenses requires that the administration inform the faculty and/or student body of the offense and the steps taken related to its resolution. This is done in order to avoid the rumors that spread and ultimately hinder restoration.

Parents, students, and faculty must understand that just as no two people are exactly alike, not all discipline will be exactly alike. Factors such as previous offenses, response to previous discipline, confession vs. “being caught” are all taken into consideration. Discipline will differ from person to person, even in the case of similar offenses. The goal is to see a heart changed by an encounter with the Word of God ministered by the people of God.