File: JICDA - Code of Conduct

NOTE: Colorado school Boards are required by law to adopt a student code of conduct and the law contains some specific direction as to the content or language that must be included. This sample contains the content/language that CASB believes best meets the intent of the law. However, the Board should consult with its own legal counsel to determine appropriate language that meets local circumstances and needs.

Beginning July 1, 2020, State law limits the grounds for which the district may impose an out-of-school suspension or expulsion for a student enrolled in preschool, kindergarten, first grade, or second grade. C.R.S. 22-33-106.1.

Students in third grade and higher grade levels

In accordance with applicable law and Board policy concerning student suspensions, expulsions, and other disciplinary interventions, the principal or designee may suspend or recommend expulsion of a student in third grade and higher grade levels who engages in one or more of the following activities while in school buildings, on district property, when being transported in vehicles dispatched by the district or one of its schools, during a school-sponsored or district-sponsored activity or event, and off district property when the conduct has a nexus to school or any district curricular or non-curricular event:

1. Causing or attempting to cause damage to district property or stealing or attempting to steal district property.

2. Causing or attempting to cause damage to private property or stealing or attempting to steal private property.

3. Willful destruction or defacing of district property.

4. Commission of any act which if committed by an adult would be robbery or assault as defined by state law.

5. Committing extortion, coercion or blackmail, i.e., obtaining money or other objects of value from an unwilling person or forcing an individual to act through the use of force or threat of force.

6. Engaging in verbal abuse, i.e., name calling, ethnic or racial slurs, either orally or in writing or derogatory statements addressed publicly to an individual or a group that precipitate disruption of the district or school program or incite violence.

7. Engaging in "hazing" activities, i.e., forcing prolonged physical activity, forcing excessive consumption of any substance, forcing prolonged deprivation of sleep, food, or drink, or any other behavior which recklessly endangers the health or safety of an individual for purposes of initiation into any student group.

8. Violation of the Board's policy on bullying prevention and education.

9. Violation of criminal law which has an effect on the district or on the general safety or welfare of students or staff.

10. Violation of any Board policy or regulations, or established school rules.

11. Violation of the Board's policy on weapons in the schools. Expulsion shall be mandatory for bringing or possessing a firearm, in accordance with federal law.

12. Violation of the Board's policy on student conduct involving drugs and alcohol.

13. Violation of the Board's violent and aggressive behavior policy.

14. Violation of the Board's tobacco-free schools policy.

15. Violation of the Board's policies prohibiting sexual or other harassment.

16. Violation of the Board's policy on nondiscrimination.

17. Violation of the Board's dress code policy.

18. Violation of the Board's policy on gangs and gang-like activity.

19. Throwing objects, unless part of a supervised school activity, that can or do cause bodily injury or damage to property.

20. Directing profanity, vulgar language or obscene gestures toward other students, school personnel or others.

21. Lying or giving false information, either verbally or in writing, to a district employee.

22. Engaging in scholastic dishonesty, which includes but is not limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism or unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work.

23. Making a false accusation of criminal activity against a district employee to law enforcement or to the district.

24. Behavior on or off school property that is detrimental to the welfare or safety of other students or school personnel, including behavior that creates a threat of physical harm to the student exhibiting the behavior or to one or more other students.

25. Repeated interference with the district's ability to provide educational opportunities to other students.

26. Continued willful disobedience or open and persistent defiance of proper authority including deliberate refusal to obey a member of the district staff.

Students in preschool through second grade

In accordance with applicable law and Board policy concerning student suspensions, expulsions, and other disciplinary interventions, the principal or designee may suspend or recommend expulsion of a student in preschool, kindergarten, first grade, or second grade who engages in one or more of the following activities while on district property, in a school building, in a district or school vehicle, at a district or school activity or event, or off district property when the conduct has a nexus to school or any district curricular or non-curricular event:

1. Violation of the Board's policy on weapons in the schools. Expulsion shall be mandatory for bringing or possessing a firearm, in accordance with federal law.

2. Violation of the Board's policy on student conduct involving drugs and alcohol.

3. Conduct that endangers the health or safety of others.

(Adoption date)

LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 18-3-202 et seq. (offenses against person)

C.R.S. 18-4-301 et seq. (offenses against property)

C.R.S. 18-9-124 (2)(a) (prohibition of hazing)

C.R.S. 22-12-105 (3) (authority to suspend or expel for false accusations)

C.R.S. 22-32-109.1 (2)(a)(I) (policy required as part of safe schools plan)

C.R.S. 22-32-109.1 (2)(a)(I)(A) (duty to adopt policies on student conduct, safety and welfare)

C.R.S. 22-32-109.1 (9) (immunity provisions in safe schools law)

C.R.S. 22-33-106 (1)(a-g) (grounds for suspension, expulsion, denial of admission)

C.R.S. 22-33-106.1 (suspension and expulsion for students in preschool through second grade)

CROSS REFS.: AC, Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity

ADC, Tobacco-Free Schools

ADD, Safe Schools

GBGB, Staff Personal Security and Safety

JBB*, Sexual Harassment

JIC, Student Conduct

JICA, Student Dress Code

JICC, Student Conduct in School Vehicles

JICDD*, Violent and Aggressive Behavior

JICDE*, Bullying Prevention and Education

JICF, Secret Societies/Gang Activity

JICH, Drug and Alcohol Involvement by Students

JICI, Weapons in School

JK, Student Discipline

JKD/JKE, Suspension/Expulsion of Students (and Other Disciplinary Interventions)

NOTE: All Board policies with codes containing the letter "JIC" and "JK" are considered part of the legally-mandated code of conduct and discipline.

[Revised January 2020]