CODE: 5131.5
SECTION: PUPILS
VANDALISM/VIOLENCE
Vandalism
The West Milford Board of Education views vandalism against school property by pupils as reprehensible. The causes of such misbehavior often are complex, calling for careful study by parents/guardians, school staff, and appropriate community officials.
The West Milford Board of Education believes that pupils should respect property and take pride in the schools of this district. Whenever a pupil has been found to have done willful and malicious damage to property of the Board, the principal shall be notified. The pupil and/or his/her parents/guardians shall be liable to the Board for the damage caused.
When vandalism is discovered, the administration is directed to take such steps as are necessary to identify the vandals. If pupils have taken part in the vandalism, the appropriate administrator shall make every reasonable attempt to:
A. Identify the pupils involved;
B. Call together persons, including the parents/guardians, needed to study the causes;
C. Decide upon disciplinary and/or legal action possibly including disciplinary sanctions included in policies/procedures on suspension and expulsion and conduct/discipline. Should parents/guardians fail to cooperate in the discussions, the administration may charge the pupil with being delinquent by a petition stating the offense and requesting appearance in juvenile court;
D. Take any constructive actions needed to try to guard against further such pupil misbehavior;
E. Seek appropriate restitution.
F. Refer to Child Study Team for an evaluation, if appropriate.
G. Refer to the Board of Education for possible expulsion hearings, if appropriate.
Violence
Physical violence including assault, bullying, or hazing against another pupil or a staff member is unacceptable conduct and will result in the disciplinary sanctions included in policies/procedures on suspension and expulsion and conduct/discipline. Bullying is defined as
any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person or any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect bodily harm.
Hazing is defined as any willful act done by a student whether individually or in concert with others to another student for the purpose of subjecting that student to humiliation, intimidation, physical abuse or threats of abuse, social or other ostracism, shame, or disgrace for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any school district sponsored organization whose members are or include other students. The term may include, but is not limited to:
A. Using a reasonable person standard: any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects the student to shame, humiliation or extreme mental stress, or that might adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from entering into or remaining registered in a district co-curricular or extra-curricular opportunity.
B. Any type of physical brutality.
C. Any type of physical activity (such as, but not limited to sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics unrelated to approved training, or sexualized acts), or other activity whether or not the activity subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or in using the reasonable person standard that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
D. Any consumption activity involving ingestion of a food, liquid, or other substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm; or the ingestion of an alcoholic beverage, liquor, or drug; or in using the reasonable person standard that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
E. Any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform an activity or task that involves a violation of school rules, district policy, or law.
Reporting Procedures
A. Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of violence as defined in this policy or any person with knowledge or evidence of violence shall report the alleged acts immediately to a school administrator or the Superintendent of Schools. At that time, the appropriate form must be completed, submitted to the school principal, who is responsible for forwarding the official report to the Superintendent of Schools.
B. The building principal is the person responsible for receiving reports at the building level. Any person may report the alleged acts of violence directly to a school administrator or to the Superintendent of Schools.
C. Teachers, administrators, volunteers, contractors, or other employees of the school district shall be particularly alert to possible situations, circumstances, or events which might constitute violence. Any such person who receives a report of, observes, or has other knowledge or evidence of conduct which may constitute violence shall inform the building principal immediately.
D. The school district will take appropriate action against any student, volunteer, contractor, or employee of the school district who retaliates against any person who makes a good faith report of alleged violence. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to any form of intimidation, reprisal, or harassment.
Consequences
A. The building administrator (or designee), in accordance with established policy, procedure, and school rules is responsible for managing student discipline in cases of violence. Specific discipline for violence will be at the discretion of the building administrator (or designee).
B. Potentially illegal acts will be brought to the attention of law enforcement authorities.
The Superintendent of Schools shall annually, at a public meeting, report to the Board of Education all acts of violence and vandalism in the district. The Superintendent of Schools shall forward a copy of the annual report of violence and vandalism to the County Superintendent of Schools in the manner and form required.
First Reading: August 28, 2001
Adopted: September 25, 2001