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AA418 – Discipline of Students—Staff Responsibilities

  • Effective: 8/27/1969
  • Revision: 7/14/1998
  • Reviewed: 5/28/2013
  1. Board Directive
    The Board recognizes that good discipline and control must be maintained in schools to provide a wholesome educational environment.  The Board, therefore, delegates to the District Administration responsibility for establishing policy for staff responsibility in disciplining students.
  2. Administrative Policy
    In order to maintain a good learning environment, each school principal shall work cooperatively with faculty members, parents, and students to establish a student code of conduct which outlines behavior requirements consistent with District administrative policies.  Individual teachers will be responsible for maintaining good discipline and control in their classes and extracurricular assignments.  All staff members will assist in maintaining discipline in other areas of the building and school grounds.

    1. Teachers and other staff members will promote good rapport with students by demonstrating qualities of honesty, fairness, and consistency in their dealings.  Teachers are expected to help students develop and maintain respect for themselves, for others, and for school property.
    2. Teachers will maintain effective control of the instructional situation in order to provide optimum learning opportunities for all students.  It is the responsibility of the teacher to plan lessons carefully and engage in instructional activities which further student interest.
    3. Principals will work with faculty members to develop and implement teaching methods to alleviate potential discipline problems in the classroom.  Such preventive measures might include:
      1. Redirecting student interest and energy away from disruptive channels toward productive activity.
      2. Involving students in learning situations through participation in individual projects, small group activities, role playing, or discussions.
    4. In situations where student behavior becomes disruptive to the extent that it interferes with the learning and teaching process, the principal or teacher may submit students to reasonable punishment.
      1. Student disciplinary action must be consistent with established rules and regulations.
      2. No one may inflict cruel or irresponsible punishment upon a student or exercise other liberties prohibited by statutory law including any form of corporal punishment as defined under Utah Code §53G-8-301(1).
      3. Students requiring discipline are to be dealt with in a professional and objective manner, without undue emotional display.
    5. When student behavior becomes disruptive to the extent that immediate measures must be taken to avoid personal injury or abuse to themselves or others, teachers, acting in loco parentis, may restrain to control the student or students involved.
    6. Corrective disciplinary measures shall be implemented in accordance with Policy AS67—Discipline of Students.
    7. Teachers will provide supervision in their classes and during assigned extracurricular assignments.
    8. Teachers have the responsibility to set and maintain high standards of behavior and act as role models to their students. (See Policy AS95 – Conduct Related to School Activities.)
    9. Teachers and other staff members have the responsibility to communicate with students and their parents in a professional manner.   Text messages to students must be of a professional, not personal nature.  The message content, and frequency will be used to determine if disciplinary action is taken by the District.