JCBE/POLICY FILE: 446.1

Approved: 8/28/80

DISCIPLINARY ALTERNATIVES TO SUSPENSION

Because the Jefferson County Board of Education subscribes to the philosophy of discipline based on each student having a basic need for the maintenance and enhancement of individual self-esteem, and because the Board sees as its duty the provision of maximum learning opportunities for its students, there is a need for a variable approach in disciplinary actions.

Principals may suspend students whose behavior threatens the orderly operation of the school or school-sponsored activity. (JCBE/POLICY FILE: 446)

While traditional suspension serves a definite purpose, school officials need alternative disciplinary measures which can contribute to altering causes of behavioral problems, rather than altering symptoms. Often a more desirable result can be derived from a disciplinary approach which provides supervised instruction, encouragement and a chance to succeed while the causes of misbehavior are examined and solutions are formulated.

It may not only be more beneficial to students experiencing academic, social or behavioral problems to be disciplined in school, but student attendance can increase by using alternatives to suspension.

Accordingly, each school's disciplinary plan shall include alternatives to suspension. Among those alternatives may be such provisions as in-house suspension, based on a "holding room" concept and occurring during the regular school hours.

Optimally, alternatives should be patterned to meet the needs of students without going beyond the capabilities of existing school personnel.