AMENDMENT NOTICE TO THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

Pursuant to Rule 6A-1.0017 School Environmental Safety Incident Reporting (SESIR), the District hereby notifies the school and general community that the following underlined portions reflect revisions to the Code of Student Conduct as they pertain to recent SESIR Rule changes from the Florida Department of Education:

• Physical Attack shall be coded as Simple Battery throughout the Code.
  
  
• Bullying, Rule #4, shall be defined as systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees. Bullying includes instances of cyberbullying, as defined in Section 1006.147(3)(b), F.S. Bullying may
  include, but is not limited to, repetitive instances of teasing, social exclusion, threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, theft, harassment, public or private humiliation, or destruction of property. If the physical harm or psychological distress is not the result of systematic or chronic behavior, evaluate for Harassment.
  
  
• Harassment, Rule #4, shall be defined as any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal, or physical conduct that places a student or school employee in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or
  damage to his or her property; has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits, or has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school, including any course of conduct directed at a
  specific person that causes substantial emotional distress in such a person and serves no legitimate purpose. Instances of Harassment that are chronic or repeated in nature should be evaluated for Bullying or Bullying-related.
  
  
• Drug Sale or Distribution, Rule #24, shall also be defined to include the purchase of drug-related incidents.
  
  
• Vandalism, Rule #26, shall be coded and defined as Criminal Mischief (Felony Vandalism
  - $1,000 threshold), which includes willfully and maliciously injuring or damaging by any means any real or personal property belonging to another, including, but not limited to, the placement of graffiti thereon or other acts of vandalism thereto. Incidents that fall below
  the $1,000 threshold are not reportable in SESIR, but instead should be reported as locally-defined incidents according to district policies.
  
  
• Sexual Harassment, Rule #28, shall be defined as unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature,such as sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Harassing conduct can include verbal or nonverbal
  actions, including graphic and written statements, and may include statements made through computers, cellphones, and other devices connected to the Internet. The conduct can be carried out by school employees, other students, and non-employee third parties.
  
  
• Larceny/Theft shall be coded and defined as Grand Theft ($750 threshold), the unauthorized taking of the property of another person or organization, including motor vehicles, valued at $750 or more, without threat, violence, or bodily harm. Incidents that fall below the $750 threshold are not reportable in SESIR, but instead should be
  reported as locally-defined incidents according to district policies. Thefts of property of any value that involve a use of force, violence, assault, or putting the victim in fear must be reported as Robbery.
  
  
• Tobacco, Rule #30, shall also include the purchase of tobacco products.
  
  
• Trespassing, Rule #31, shall be defined to include to enter or remain on school grounds, school transportation, or at a school-sponsored event, without authorization or invitation and with no lawful purpose for entry. Only incidents involving a student currently under suspension or expulsion, or incidents where any offender (student or non-student) was previously issued an official trespass warning by school officials, or where any offender was arrested for trespass are required to be reported in SESIR. Trespass incidents that did not have a prior official warning, did not result in arrest, or did not involve students under suspension or expulsion should be reported as locally defined incidents according to district policies.
  
  
• Weapon, Rule #32, shall be defined as possession of a firearm or any instrument or object as defined by Section 790.001(6) and (13), F.S., that can inflict serious harm on another person or that can place a person in reasonable fear of serious harm.These revisions shall be applicable to the Code of Student Conduct until formal revisions are made for the 2023-2024 school year. Such changes shall replace and supersede changes and definitions as pursuant to the Code of Student Conduct. These changes will also be reflected in applicable Board Policies subject to Board revisions and approval.

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