The Edwards-Knox Board of Education is committed to providing a safe and orderly school environment where students may receive and district personnel may deliver quality educational services without disruption or interference. Responsible behavior by students, teachers, coaches, other district personnel, parents and other visitors is essential to achieving this goal and will be enforced.
The district has definite expectations for conduct on school property and at school functions. These expectations are based on the principles of respect/tolerance, citizenship, character, honesty and integrity.
In accordance with the Dignity for All Students Act, School District policy and practice must ensure that no student is subject to discrimination or harassment, based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity or sex by school employees or students on school property, on a school bus, or at a school function.
The Board of Education recognizes the need to clarify these expectations for acceptable conduct on school property, to incorporate the possible consequences of unacceptable conduct, and to carryout discipline when necessary, and to ensure that discipline is administered promptly and fairly.
This summary of the school district Code of Conduct has been developed as required by the New York State SAVE Act and will be distributed to students and parents at the beginning of the school year. The entire code is available on the Edwards-Knox website (www.ekcsk12.org), under NYS required links. A copy can be obtained from the District Office upon request. This Code has been adopted by the Board of Education annually at an open meeting and is submitted to the New York State Education Department as required by law. The code clearly defines a multitude of terms to ensure and promote a safe and healthy atmosphere.
The Code contains the following provisions:
- Students rights and responsibilities to assure the safety and security of all students and personnel while on school property henceforth to include a school bus or attending extracurricular events.
- Essential partners are thoroughly explained and include: parents, guardians, teachers, all school personnel, administration and the Board of Education.
- Appropriate conduct, dress and language when on school property, including school functions and extracurricular activities as well as appropriate range of disciplinary procedures that may be imposed for violations of the Code.
- Provisions for the removal from the classroom, school property (including school functions and extracurricular activities and sports, including off campus events) detention, suspension of students or other persons who violate the Code or who possess or use illegal substances or weapons, use of physical force, vandalize school property, or violate another student’s civil rights, or threaten violence. Provisions are outlined to ensure continued educational programming occurs while a determination can be made.
- Provisions that ensure that enforcement of the Code is in compliance with state and federal laws relating to students with disabilities.
- Procedures regarding notifying local human service agencies and or law enforcement agencies of Code violations which constitute a crime and or a referral is necessary.
- Provisions for notifying persons in parental relation to the student of Code violations by the student and the right to due process.
- Provisions and procedures by which a complaint will be solved, whether in criminal court, a juvenile delinquency petition or Person in Need of Supervision (PINS) petition as defined in Article Three and Seven of the Family Court Act.
- Detailed explanations regarding disciplinary procedures, suspensions from transportation, events, extracurricular activities, sports, the educational process and loss of other privileges. Consequences vary depending on the frequency and or severity of the behavior involved.
- Provisions by which students may be searched and or questioned by school administration are outlined.
- Proper reporting procedures for all conduct including Corporal Punishment.
- Procedures, guidelines and paperwork required for volunteers and chaperones.
- Acceptable use policy for all students and personnel for technology and electronic devices.
- The publication, dissemination and review of the Code.
Please feel free to contact the Front or District Office to inquire about the plan or request a full copy of the Code of Conduct.
BOE Approved: August 13, 2024