General Intervention/Discipline Sequence

A behavior that does not put the safety of another student or adult at risk and is managed “on the spot” by a classroom teacher or  teacher or staff member.  . The classroom teacher will manage student minor behaviors which are documented as classroom observations in Student Information System.

Tier 1 Classroom Managed Interventions and Consequences for Minor Behaviors
Proactive Supports
• Classroom management system
• Teach expected behaviors
• Reinforce expected behaviors
• Build community with class meetings, restorative circles, advisory meetings, etc.
• Redirection, Ignore, Proximity
• Verbal warning
• Walk break, drink break
• In-class break
• Buddy teacher
• Parent/Guardian contact

Interventions/Consequences
• Advanced support resource:
www.pbisworld.com
• Parent/Guardian contact
• Student behavior contract
• Buddy teacher
• Logical consequences
• Structured breaks
• Check-In, Check-Out
• Peer mediation
• Reflective essay
• Referral for support from counselor or social worker
• Referral for support from counselor, SFRS
• Lunch/recess detention

Major Behavior (Flow B)
A behavior which puts the student and/or others at risk and/or impedes the safety of the school and/or creates a major disruption to the learning environment and requires the attention of administrative staff. The interventions used to address and correct major offenses are documented in Student
Information System.

Tier 3 – Intensive Interventions/Consequences
• Advanced support resource:
www.pbisworld.com
• Referral for support from student support team/MTSS school process
• Referral to School Based Therapy or community mental health services
• Referral to Student Assistance Program (SAP)
• Interagency Team Meeting with school, parent/guardian, behavioral health providers, and/or Child and Youth Agency
• Community service or in-school service (assisting custodial staff)
• Parent/Guardian supervision
• Loss of privileges
• Mini-course on topics such as conflict resolution, anger management, appropriate behavior

A student who poses a clear threat to the safety and welfare of other students or the school staff, who creates an unsafe school environment or whose behavior materially interferes with the learning of other students or disrupts the overall educational process.

District level hearing requests must meet thefollowing criteria:

Students enrolled in this program must be considered disruptive as Defined by Act 30 of 1997, § 19-1901-C (5). Identify and provide documentation (such as suspension documents) that applies to each behavior resulting in the referral. By law, Districts may refer students in grades 6–12 to AEDY programs only if, at the time of the recommended transfer, they demonstrate, to a marked degree, any of the following conditions:

1. Disregard for school authority, including persistent violation of school policies and
2. Display of or use of controlled substances on school property or during school-affiliated activities. (Based on Board Policy #227)
3. Violent or threatening behavior on school property or during school-affiliated activities.
4. Possession of a weapon on school property, as defined under 18 Pa. C.S. § 912 (relating to possession of weapon on school property).
5. Commission of a criminal act on school property or during school-affiliated activities.
6. Misconduct that would merit suspension or expulsion under school policy.

The primary function of the Alternative Education Placement Review Committee is to assess whether a student’s behavior meets the criteria for placement
to the district’s AEDY program. This committee meets at the request of the building principal to review student cases and ensure that all district and community resources have been explored on the student’s behalf before considering an AEDY placement. This committee, appointed by the Assistant
Superintendent of Student Services or designee, will consist of the Assistant Director of School Climate, one (1) principal, assistant principal or dean, school counselor, and school social worker. If necessary, a representative from the Alternative Education School (AES) will serve on the committee.

Copies of the letter explaining the consequences must be sent to the parent/guardian, building principal, the Executive Director of Student Services, and the chairperson of the Judicial Committee.

An Alternative Education Placement Review Committee will not be conducted for special education students unless there has been a prior determination that the student’s alleged misconduct was not a manifestation of the student’s exceptionality

The principal requesting the Administrative Review will submit, in writing to the Assistant Director of Student Supports and Services, a request for an Administrative Review Committee Meeting, stating the specific reasons for the review and a brief, but specific, summary of the rehabilitative attempts which were made. The Assistant Director of Student Supports and Services will inform the requesting principal of the scheduled date and time of the review and contact the Administrative Review Committee members. The Assistant Director of Student Supports and Services will send a letter to the parent/ guardian of the student, indicating the reasons for the hearing, and the scheduled time and place of the meeting. Copies of this letter should be forwarded to the Assistant Director of Student Supports and Services and staff members and/or agency personnel who are expected to attend. Case studies (one copy) shall be prepared, at the direction of the principal, and forwarded to the Hearing Officer, prior to the review date. The case studies and all relevant special education paperwork must be delivered in advance.

The Alternative Education Placement Review Committee may make several recommendations following the review of each student’s case. The recommendations may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following consequences:
1. Return to school on probation with conditions (any major behavior requiring an OSS);
2. Assignment to an alternative education program;
3. Referral to the Judiciary Committee for expulsion.

A Judiciary Hearing is held to determine whether a student should be expelled from school. The Board of School Directors (“Board”) delegates the role of conducting any hearing regarding a student’s potential expulsion from school to a Hearing Officer. The Hearing Officer is annually appointed by the Board through formal action at its May meeting and is tasked with conducting any student expulsion hearings. The Hearing Officer reviews the charges and background information which the principal/designee presents to substantiate the recommendation for expulsion and also reviews information presented by the student, parent/guardian(s), and/or counsel.

The building administrator will submit, in writing to the Assistant Director of Student Supports and Services, a request for a Judiciary Committee hearing, stating the specific charges made against the student, a brief summary of rehabilitative attempts, and the recommendation for expulsion. If the case is accepted for a hearing, the Assistant Director’s office will notify, in writing, the parent/guardian, the Committee Members, the building administrator, and agency personnel of the scheduled time and place of the hearing. The parent/guardian will be informed of the specific reasons for the hearing and the recommendation which has been made by the school administration. They will also be informed that they may be represented by counsel at the hearing. The building administrator, committee members, or parent/ guardian may request the attendance of any staff member (or persons) at the hearing that can provide significant information which would assist in making a decision. Persons, other than those involved with the case, may be present, only with permission of the parent/ guardian, and the Hearing Officer. After a Judiciary Hearing, the Hearing Officer is responsible for making a recommendation to the School Board as to the disposition of the student’s discipline. The School Board will make a final decision regarding the Hearing Officer’s recommendation concerning any student’s expulsion from school.

If a matter is referred for possible expulsion to the Judiciary Committee, then at the discretion of the Superintendent or designee, the parents/guardians
may be approached about the opportunity to voluntarily enter into a waiver agreement, through which the parents/guardians and student can agree to
forego the need for a due process hearing concerning the student’s alleged misconduct, and to accept the recommended consequences identified in the waiver agreement. All waiver agreements must be approved by the School Board. Should the School Board not approve a signed waiver agreement, the student will receive a due process hearing before the Judiciary Committee.

A building administrator may recommend the expulsion of a student whose action(s) or behavior(s) were so disruptive or so serious that the Coordinator, in consultation with the Executive Director of Student Services or designee agreed that a Judiciary Committee Hearing is necessary.

Reasons for expulsion may include, but are not limited to, the following behaviors:

1. Carrying or using weapons or dangerous instruments while on school premises or on the way to or from school or while attending school sponsored activities;
2. Possessing or igniting explosives or incendiaries of any type on school premises or in any area where school activities are being held;
3. Dispensing, furnishing, or selling any narcotic, hallucinogenic, or dangerous drugs (including alcohol);
4. Tampering with firefighting equipment or emergency alarm system or starting a fire on school premises;
5. Participating in terroristic threats;
6. Extorting money or other property and/or;
7. Intimidating or assaulting a teacher, fellow student, or District employee. Only the most severe cases warranting expulsion will be referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Following a Judiciary Committee Hearing, the Hearing Officer may expel the student from school for not less than one calendar year. This recommendation must be approved by the School Board of Directors.

Expulsion is an exclusion from school by the Board of Education for a period exceeding 10 school days and may be permanent expulsion from the school rolls. All expulsions require a prior formal hearing under State Board Regulation 12.8 (relating to hearings).

Students who are less than 18 years of age are still subject to the compulsory school attendance law even though expelled and they must be provided “some provision” of education.

In most cases, the expelled student will immediately be assigned to the district’s qualified Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth Program (AEDY). If the district’s Alternative Program is not provided as an option, the initial responsibility for providing the required education rests with the student’s parent/ guardian. Parent/Guardian who are unable to provide an education for their student shall submit a written statement within thirty (30) days that they are unable to do so. The district shall then make provisions for the student’s education. If thirty (30) days pass without satisfactory evidence that the required education is being provided, the district shall contact the parent/guardian and make provisions for the student’s education.

If the approved educational program is not complied with, the School District may take action in accordance with Chapter 63 of the Juvenile Act (42 pa. C.S. §6301-6308), to ensure that the child will receive a proper education.