The following is a summary of the Code of Conduct adopted by the DCMO BOCES. Each school district and BOCES Board of Education must adopt a Code of Conduct pursuant to the New York State Laws of 2000 popularly know as the SAVE law. Copies of the full code are available from any DCMO BOCES office upon request.

Section 1 is an introduction to our Code of Conduct.

Section 2 contains legal definitions as required by the regulations.

Section 3 puts into simple language the expectations for students’ rights and responsibilities.

Section 4 outlines the responsibilities of the parents, teachers, staff, administration and Board of Education.

Section 5 outlines the student dress code.

Section 6 defines prohibited student conduct.

Section 7 describes the requirements for reporting violations.

Section 8 identifies the disciplinary procedures and penalties.

Section 9 defines the requirements for alternative instruction.

Section 10 describes the discipline of students with disabilities.

Section 11 and 12 identifies the rules governing the behavior of any visitors to the BOCES facilities.

Section 13 describes that students in BOCES classes in component district buildings will follow the Code of Conduct of the districts in which the class is located.

Section 14 identifies the procedures for distributing this Code.

The BOCES’ aim is to provide an environment in which a student’s rights and freedoms are respected, and to provide opportunities which stimulate and challenge the student’s interests and abilities to his or her highest potential. These opportunities will be available as long as the student pursues these interests and studies in an appropriate manner, and does not infringe upon the rights of others.

It shall be the right of each BOCES student:

1. To have a safe, healthy, orderly, and courteous school environment.
2. To take part in all BOCES activities on an equal basis regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, creed, and disability.
3. To attend and participate in BOCES’ programs unless suspended from instruction and participation for legally sufficient cause as determined in accordance with Education Law 3214.
4. To have BOCES rules and conditions available for review and, whenever necessary, explained by BOCES personnel.
5. To have the opportunity to present his or her version of the facts and circumstances leading to imposition of disciplinary sanctions, in all disciplinary matters, to the professional staff member imposing such sanction.

It shall be the responsibility of each BOCES student to:

1. Contribute to maintaining a safe and orderly school environment that is conducive to learning and to show respect to other persons and to property.

2. Be familiar with and abide by all district policies, rules and regulations dealing with student conduct.

3. Attend school every day unless he/she is legally excused and be in class, on time, prepared to learn.

4. Work to the best of his or her ability in all academic and extracurricular pursuits and strive toward his or her highest level of achievement possible.

5. React to direction given by teachers, administrators and other school personnel in a respectful, positive manner.

6. Work to develop mechanisms to control his or her anger.

7. Ask questions when he/she does not understand.

8. Seek help in solving problems that might lead to discipline.

9. Dress appropriately for school and school functions.

10. Accept responsibility for his or her actions.

11. Conduct himself or herself as a representative of the district when participating in, or attending school-sponsored extracurricular events and to hold himself or herself to the highest standards of conduct, demeanor, and sportsmanship.

The responsibility for student dress and general appearance shall rest with individual students and parents. However, the Board of Education requires students to attend school in appropriate dress that meets health and safety standards and does not interfere with the learning process. Teachers and all other district personnel should exemplify and reinforce acceptable student dress and help students develop an understanding of appropriate appearance in the school setting.

The District Superintendent and other designated administrative personnel shall have the authority to require a student to change his/her attire should it be deemed inappropriate according to the above guidelines. Anyone who refuses to modify his/her dress shall be subject to discipline. Anyone who repeatedly fails to comply will be subject to additional discipline.

Students who attend BOCES classrooms in component districts, will follow the dress code of that district.

1. Failure to comply with safety regulations
2. Fighting or causing physical harm to another
3. Being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or being in possession of an alcoholic beverage on the school premises (including buildings or grounds) or a school function or a school sponsored function
4. The use, possession, sale, gift, or manufacture of any controlled substance or any instruments for the use or administration of such substances, such as – but not limited to – pipes, syringes, or other paraphernalia. Accepted is any substance taken in accordance with a current prescription issued by a licensed physician or dentist to a particular student
5. Secondary students using or possessing tobacco products
6. The use, possession, sale, or manufacture of dangerous weapons or explosive devices of a nature or in a quantity which is sufficient to cause personal corporal injury to the holder thereof or others
7. Bringing a weapon or firearm on school campus

1. Verbal or physical intimidation or harassment
2. The use of profane, vulgar and/or abusive language and/or gestures
3. Engaging in acts of sexual or racial harassment or discrimination towards other students or BOCES staff
4. The possession of, selling or using, obscene material or objects

1. Expressed disrespect toward any BOCES employee
2. Failure to comply with the directions of an instructor, administrator or other employee
3. Violation of established transportation, parking or traffic regulations
4. Unacceptable use of BOCES computers, e-mail, or internet
5. Lateness from, missing or leaving school or class without permission or excuse given by an appropriate authority
6. Refusal to do assignments
7. Repeatedly violating classroom behavior guidelines
8. Acts of endearment, such as kissing, caressing or other overt expressions of affection
9. Stealing, lying, cheating, plagiarism or other acts of dishonesty
10. Any act which disrupts the normal operation of the school community
11. The commission of any other act which is insubordinate, disorderly or endangers the safety, morals, health or welfare of others

All students are expected to promptly report violations of the Code of Conduct to a teacher, counselor or administrator. Any student observing a person possessing a weapon, alcohol, or illegal substance shall report this information immediately to a teacher or administrator.

The range of penalties are:

1) Oral warning

2) Written warning

3) Written notification to parent

4) Detention

5) Suspension from transportation

6) Suspension from social or extracurricular activities

7) Suspension of other privileges

8) In-school suspension

9) Removal from classroom by teacher

10) Suspension from school

11) Permanent suspension from school

Teachers may remove a student for up to two days if the teacher determines the student is interfering with the education of others. If the student is not posing a danger or continuing to be disruptive the teacher must tell the student, before removal, the reasons for the removal and provide the student an opportunity to present his or her version of the relevant events. The teacher must complete a removal referral form and meet with the program supervisor before the end of that day or as soon as possible. Within 24 hours of removal the Principal, Special Education Supervisor or another BOCES administrator must notify a parent in writing of the removal and the reason for the removal, and the right of the parent to an informal meeting (within 48 hours) regarding the removal.

Certain violations are considered so serious as to warrant immediate removal and suspension for one year. Students who are found guilty of bringing a weapon to school or to a school function will be subject to suspension for at least one year. Permanent suspension from school will be considered for circumstances where a student’s conduct poses life-threatening danger to the safety and well being of other students, school personnel, or any other person lawfully on school property or attending a school function.

Section 9: When a student of any age is removed from instruction, the BOCES will take immediate steps to provide alternative means of instruction for the student.

Students with disabilities have no more or less rights than students without identified disabilities. The main safeguard for them is that they may not be disciplined if the cause of their violation of the Code of Conduct is their disability. Therefore, safeguards have been put in place to ensure that the rights of students with disabilities are protected. However, whenever the health or safety of students or staff is in doubt the student will be removed and due process will be carried out with due diligence. For information on the range of protections for students with disabilities, see the complete Code of Conduct or talk to the Committee on Special Education Chairperson in your school district.

Parents and other citizens are encouraged to visit the BOCES' classrooms to observe the work of students, teachers and other staff. Since schools are a place of work and learning, however, certain limits must be set for such visits. The District Superintendent or his or her designee is responsible for all persons in the building and on the grounds. For these reasons, the following rules apply to visitors to the schools:

1. Anyone who is not a regular staff member or student of the school will be considered a visitor.
2. All visitors to the school must report to the main office to register upon arrival at the school.
3. Visitors attending school functions that are open to the public are not required to register.
4. Parents or citizens who wish to observe a classroom while school is in session are required to arrange such visits in advance with the Special Education or Occupational Education offices so that class disruption is kept to a minimum.
5. Teachers are expected not to take class time to discuss individual matters with visitors.
6. Any unauthorized person on school property will be reported to the Building Principal or his or her designee. Unauthorized persons will be asked to leave. The police may be called if the situation warrants.
7. All visitors are expected to abide by the rules for public conduct on school property contained in this Code of Conduct.

No person, either alone or with others, shall:

1. Intentionally injure any person or threaten to do so.
2. Intentionally damage or destroy school district property or the personal property of a teacher, administrator, other district employee or any person lawfully on school property, including graffiti or arson.
3. Disrupt the orderly conduct of classes, school programs or other school activities.
4. Distribute or wear materials on school grounds or at school functions that are obscene, advocate illegal action, appear libelous, obstruct the rights of others, or are disruptive to the school program.
5. Intimidate, harass or discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
6. Enter any portion of the school premises without authorization or remain in any building or facility after it is normally closed.
7. Obstruct the free movement of any person in any place to which this code applies.
8. Violate the traffic laws, parking regulations or other restrictions on vehicles.
9. Possess, consume, sell, distribute or exchange alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, or be under the influence of either on school property or at a school function.
10. Possess or use weapons in or on school property or at a school function, except in the case of law enforcement officers or except as specifically authorized by the school district.
11. Loiter on or about school property.
12. Gamble on school property or at school functions.
13. Smoke on school property.
14. Refuse to comply with any reasonable order of identifiable school district officials performing their duties.
15. Willfully incite others to commit any of the acts prohibited by this Code.
16. Violate any federal or state statute, local ordinance or board policy while on school property or while at a school function.

Persons who violate this Code shall be subject to the following penalties:

1. Visitors. Their authorization, if any, to remain on school grounds or at the school function shall be withdrawn and they shall be directed to leave the premises. If they refuse to leave, they shall be subject to ejection.
2. Students. They shall be subject to disciplinary action as the facts may warrant, in accordance with the due process requirements.
3. Staff. They shall be subject to warning, reprimand, suspension or dismissal as the facts may warrant in accordance with any legal rights they may have and shall be subject to disciplinary action as the facts may warrant in accordance with Education Law §3020-a, Civil Service Law 75, or any other legal rights that they may have.
4. Staff members other than those described above. They shall be subject to warning, reprimand, suspension or dismissal as the facts may warrant in accordance with any legal rights they may have.

Students in BOCES classes in component district buildings will follow the Code of Conduct of the districts in which the class is located. The implementation of the Code of conduct will be a cooperative effort of the BOCES staff and administrators and the component district staff.

Section 14 describes the procedures for distributing this code to the students, staff, parents of students and the community.

The procedures are:

1. Providing copies of a summary of the code to all students at a general assembly held at the beginning of each school year.
2. Making copies of the Code available to all parents at the beginning of the school year.
3. Mailing a summary of the Code of Conduct written in plain language to all parents of BOCES students before the beginning of the school year and making this summary available later upon request.
4. Providing all current teachers and other staff members with a copy of the code and a copy of any amendments to the code as soon as practicable after adoption.
5. Providing all new employees with a copy of the current Code of Conduct when they are first hired.
6. Making copies of the code available for review by students, parents, and other community members.

 

To ask for information or request a copy of the full code contact the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES:

District Superintendent (607) 335-1233

Chenango Campus (607) 335-1213

Harrold Campus (607) 865-2547

Special Education (607) 335-1231

Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego Board of Cooperative Educational Services does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, ethnicity, or handicapping condition.