Laurel-Concord Policy-Series 5000

The focus of the school system is on the student. His educational development is the central
concern of the board's policies and the administrator's regulations.

Each child shall be given equal opportunity. But since children vary widely in capacities,
interests, social, and economic background, no two can be treated exactly alike if the fullest
development of each is to be achieved.

The board will attempt to overcome limitations of facilities and means that stand in the way of any
who wish to learn.

The board encourages the staff to consider the effects of the total environment of the schools on
pupils. The question of each child's or youth's attendance should, so far as law will allow, be
viewed in the light of what is best for him educationally.

Since compulsion is the least educationally effective method for securing regular attendance, the
staff is urged to make the school program so attractive to each pupil that he will not wish to miss
school.

The administration is authorized to cooperate with parents in their requests for alternate, equally
rewarding educational experiences for their children, such as travel.

A child shall be eligible for admission into kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if the child is five years of age or will be five years of age on or before October 15 of the current school year. The board of education may admit a child who will reach the age of five between October 16 and February 1 of the current school year if the parent or guardian requests such entrance and provides an affidavit stating that (a) the child attended kindergarten in another jurisdiction in the current school year or (b) the family anticipates a relocation to another jurisdiction would allow admission within the current year. Early admission based on ability assessment reports is not permitted.

A child shall be eligible to enter first grade at the beginning of the school year if the child has not attended kindergarten but is six years of age or will be six years of age on or before October 15 of the current school year, and school officials determine that such grade level is the appropriate placement for the child.

A student who has received a high school diploma or received a General Equivalency Diploma shall not be eligible for admission or continued enrollment.

A student shall not be admitted or continued in enrollment after the end of the school year in which the student reaches the age of 21. The school year for this purpose ends at the last day of instruction for graduating seniors.

(1) A certified copy of the student's birth certificate issued by the state in which the child was born, prior to admission of a child for the first time. Other reliable proof of the child's identify and age, accompanied by an affidavit explaining the inability to produce a copy of the birth certificate, may be used in lieu of a birth certificate. An affidavit is defined as a notarized statement by an individual who can verify the reason a copy of the birth certificate cannot be produced.

(2) Evidence of a physical examination by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, within six months prior to the entrance of the child into the beginner grade and the seventh grade or, in the case of a transfer from out of state, to any other grade, unless the parent or legal guardian submits a written statement objecting to a physical examination.

(3) Evidence of a visual evaluation (for school year 2006-07 and each school year thereafter) by a physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, or an optometrist, within six months prior to the entrance of the child into the beginner grade and the seventh grade or, in the case of a transfer from out of state, to any other grade, unless the parent or legal guardian submits a written statement objecting to a visual evaluation. The visual evaluation is to consist of testing for amblyopia, strabismus, and internal and external eye health, with testing sufficient to determine visual acuity.

(4) Evidence of protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella (chicken pox) and Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) and other diseases as required by applicable law, by immunization, prior to enrollment, unless the parent or legal guardian submits a written statement refusing immunization or meets other exceptions established by law.

The Superintendent or Superintendent's designee shall notify the parent or guardian in writing of the foregoing requirements and of the right to submit affidavits or statements to object to the requirements, as applicable. The Superintendent or Superintendent's designee shall also provide a telephone number or other contact information to assist the parent or guardian in receiving information regarding free or reduced-cost visual evaluations for low-income families who qualify.

A student who fails to meet the foregoing requirements shall not be permitted to enroll or to enter school, or if provisionally enrolled or enrolled without compliance, shall not be permitted to continue in school until evidence of compliance or an exemption from compliance is given.

If a student has been expelled from any public school district in any state, or from a private, denominational, or parochial school in any state, and the student has not completed the terms or time period of the expulsion, the student shall not be permitted to enroll in this school district until the expulsion period from such other school has expired, unless the School Board of this school district in its sole and absolute discretion upon a proper application approves by a majority vote the enrollment of such student prior to expiration of the expulsion period. As a condition of enrollment, the School Board may require attendance in an alternative school, class or educational program pursuant to Nebraska law until the terms or time period of the original underlying expulsion are completed. A student expelled from a private, denominational, or parochial school or from any public school in another state, will not be prohibited from enrolling in the public school district in which the student resides or in which the student has been accepted pursuant to the enrollment option program for any period of time beyond the time limits placed on expulsion, pursuant to the Student Discipline Act, or for any expulsion for an offense for which expulsion is not authorized for a public school student under such Act. For purposes of this policy, the term expulsion or expelled includes any removal from any school for a period in excess of twenty (20) school days.

Any person with legal or actual charge or control of a child younger than six years of age prior to the then-current school year, who is enrolled in this school district, may discontinue the enrollment of such child by submitting a written notification to the Superintendent or the Superintendent's designee, indicating that child's name, date of birth, grade level and effective date of discontinuation of enrollment. The notification must be in writing and on a form provided by or acceptable to the Superintendent or the Superintendent's designee containing all information required herein. The form must be dated and signed by a parent or person with legal or actual charge or control of the child. The school district may request written verification or documentation of the person's authority to dis-enroll the child. Upon receipt of required written form and any other required information or documentation, the school district shall note discontinuance of the enrollment on its official records pursuant to state law. Any child dis-enrolled shall not be eligible to re-enroll in this school district until commencement of the next school year, or until the child reaches the age of six prior to the then-current school year, whichever occurs earlier. Any person signing a request for discontinuation of enrollment, acknowledges this policy, procedure and the requirement thereof, and expressly agrees thereto.

Laurel-Concord Public School District #54 will participate in Open Enrollment as both a resident
school district and option school district beginning school year 1990-91 provided the financial
funding per student is approximately equal to the per pupil cost of the school district.

The standards for acceptance of an option student will be dependent upon the size of the class
or grade, the availability of appropriate programs or the capacity of any special programs or
classes.

The notification date will be dependent upon any changes the legislature may make in the
financial funding.

Ordinarily no person will be allowed to attend high school who has a high school diploma except
in adult education classes. Exceptions may be made by special permission of the principal.

5113

STUDENTS

Students

Student Attendance

Attendance Policy (Excessive Absenteeism and Reporting Habitual Truancy)

Regular and punctual student attendance is required. The Board's policies require such attendance, the administration is responsible for developing further attendance rules and regulations, and all staff are expected to implement this policy and administrative rules and regulations to encourage such regular and punctual student attendance. The Principal and teachers are required to maintain an accurate record of student attendance.

A. Attendance and Absences.

1. Absences from School - Definitions. An absence from school will be reported as: (a) an excused absence or (b) an unexcused absence

a. Excused Absence. Absences should be cleared through the Principal's office in advance whenever possible. An absence or tardy, even by parental approval, may not be excused. All absences, except for illness and/or death in the family, require advance approval

An absence for any of the following reasons will be excused, provided the required procedures have been followed:

(1) Attendance at a funeral for a member of the immediate family (parents, siblings, and grandparents),

(2) Illness which causes a student to be absent from school,

(3) Doctor or dental appointment which require student to be absent from school,

(4) Court appearances that are required by a court order,

(5) School sponsored activities which require students to be absent from school,

(6) Family trips in which student accompanies parent(s)/legal guardian(s),

(7) Other absences which have received prior approval from the Principal.

The Principal shall have the discretion to deny approval for the latter two reasons, depending on circumstances such as the student's number of other absences, the student's academic status, the tests or other projects which may be missed, and in the case of a family trip, whether the trip could be taken during non-school time and the educational nature of the trip.

b. Unexcused Absence: An absence which is not excused is unexcused. If a student's absence is unexcused the student may receive zeros for any class work missed during the absence, and may be required to make-up work and the time missed.

A student who engages in unexcused absences may be considered truant as per state law Neb.Rev.Stat.' 79-201. Truancy is a violation of school rules. The consequence of such action may include suspension from classes and the student may be required to make up the time missed. Students who leave the school premises without permission during the school day will be considered truant.

2. Absence Procedure. A student will not be allowed to enter class after an absence until an admit slip, based upon a written or verbal parental excuse, or a conditional admit slip, is issue by the Principal's office. A conditional admit slip, good for two days, may be issued to allow time to bring an excuse, in case no excuse has been provided upon returning to school. Work must be made up within the time allowed on the admit slip. Students missing classes for school activities must present a completed activities dismissal slip to the sponsor before being allowed to leave for the activity.

For excused absences, two school days will be allowed to make up the work for each day missed with a maximum of 10 days allowed to make up work. If requested, assignment sheets will be prepared for students who are ill. If parents and/or students request assignment sheets the school should be contacted by no later than 10:00 a.m.

For unexcused absences, the student will receive a failing mark for or in each class period missed.

3. Mandatory Ages of Attendance. The mandatory ages of attendances for truancy purposes are as follows: For the 2004-2005 school year (that is, prior to July 1, 2005), the mandatory ages of attendance are age 7 to age 18. For the 2005-2006 school year (that is, after July 1, 2005), the mandatory ages of attendance are age 6 (as of January 1 of the then-current school year) to age 18.

Attendance is also not mandatory for a child who has reached the age of 6 years of age prior to January 1 of the then-current school year, but will not reach age 7 prior to January 1 of such school year, if the child's parent or guardian has signed and filed with the school district in which the child resides an affidavit stating either: (1) that the child is participating in an education program that the parent or guardian believes will prepare the child to enter grade one for the following school year; or (2) that the parent or guardian intends for the child to participate in a school which has elected or will elect pursuant to law not to meet accreditation or approval requirements and the parent or guardian intends to provide the Commissioner of Education with a statement pursuant to section 79-1601(3) on or before the child's seventh birthday.

Attendance is also not mandatory for a child who: (1) has obtained a high school diploma by meeting statutory graduation requirements; (2) has completed the program of instruction offered by a school which elects pursuant to law not to meet accreditation or approval requirements; (3) has reached the age of 16 years and such child's parent or guardian has signed a notarized release discontinuing the enrollment of the child on a form provided by the school; or (4) has reached the age of 16 as of July 16, 2004.

4. Reporting and Responding to Truant Behavior. Any administrator, teacher, or member of the board of education who knows of any failure on the part of any child of mandatory school attendance age to attend school regularly without lawful reason, shall within three days report such violation to the superintendent. The superintendent shall immediately cause an investigation into any such report to be made. The superintendent shall also investigate any case when of his or her personal knowledge, or by report or complaint from any resident of the district, the superintendent believes that any child is unlawfully absent from school. The school shall render all services in its power to compel such child to attend some public, private, denominational, or parochial school, which the person having control of the child shall designate, in an attempt to remediate the child's truant behavior. Such services shall include, as appropriate, the services listed under the "Excessive Absenteeism" and "Reporting Habitual Truancy" policies.

5. Excessive Absenteeism. Students who accumulate five (5) absences in a quarter, or seven (7) absences in a semester, shall be deemed to have "excessive absences." Such absences shall be determined on a per day basis for elementary students and on a per class basis for secondary students. When a student has excessive absences, the following procedures shall be implemented:

a. One or more meetings shall be held between a school attendance officer, school social worker, or other person designated by the school administration and the parent/guardian and the student to report and attempt to solve the truancy problem. If the parent/guardian refuses to participate in such meeting, the principal shall place in the student's attendance records documentation of such refusal.

b. Educational counseling to determine whether curriculum changes, including but not limited to, enrolling the child in an alternative education program that meets the specific educational and behavioral needs of the child.

c. Educational evaluation, which may include a psychological evaluation, to assist in determining the specific condition, if any, contributing to the truancy problem, supplemented by specific efforts by the school to help remedy any condition diagnosed.

d. Investigation of the truancy problem by the school social worker, or if such school does not have a school social worker, another person designated by the administration to identify conditions which may be contributing to the truancy problem. If services for the child and his or her family are determined to be needed, the person performing the investigation shall meet with the parent/guardian and the child to discuss any referral to appropriate community agencies for economic services, family or individual counseling, or other services required to remedy the conditions that are contributing to the truancy problem.

e. Following the conclusion of each semester, an attendance review committee will consider individual cases of those students who exceed the allowable quarter/semester limit. Circumstances beyond the student's control, such as lengthy hospital stays, regular (daily, weekly) medical appointments, prolonged dental work or family emergencies will be considered by this committee. At the conclusion of the semester, any documentation (doctor's note) a parent/guardian would like the committee to consider must be submitted to the school within two weeks. The committee's recommendation, which can range from waving the attendance policy, placing a student on academic probation for ensuing semesters, or recommending the denial of credit for the current semester, will then be presented to the principal. Credit may be denied if a student misses more than twice the allotted time or has been on probation from the previous semester. The principal will notify the parents of the attendance recommendation prior to presenting it to the board of education.

6. Reporting Habitual Truancy. Students of mandatory attendance age who accumulate twenty (20) unexcused absences per year shall be deemed to be habitually truant. If the student continues to be or becomes habitually truant, the principal shall serve a written notice to the person violating Neb.Rev.Stat. ' 79-201, (i.e., the person who has legal or active charge or control of the student) warning him or her to comply with the provisions of that statute. If within one week after the time such notice is given such person is still violating the school attendance laws or policies, the principal shall file a report with the county attorney of the county in which such person resides.

Legal Reference: '79-201 and 79-209

Date of Adoption: July 12, 2004

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES:
It shall be the policy of the Laurel-Concord Public School District No. 54 in compliance with the
Student Discipline Act of 1994, as amended, to ensure that students receive fair treatment consistent
with their constitutional right to due process and fundamental fairness within the context of an orderly
and effective educational process, prior to being subject to emergency exclusions, short term or long
term suspensions, expulsions, or mandatory reassignments. Such disciplinary action, therefore, will
be made in accordance with the following procedures:

I. DEFINITIONS AND STANDARDS:
The following student conducts will constitute grounds for long term suspension, expulsion,
or mandatory reassignment, subject to the procedural provisions of the Student Discipline
Act, when such activity occurs on school grounds, in a school owned vehicle being used for
school purpose, or at a school sponsored activity or athletic event:

(1) Use of violence, force, coercion, threat, intimidation, or similar conduct in a manner that
constitutes a substantial interference with school purposes;

(2) Willfully causing or attempting to cause substantial damage to property, stealing or
attempting to steal property of substantial value, or repeated damage or theft involving
property;

(3) Causing or attempting to cause personal injury to a school employee, to a school
volunteer, or to any student. Personal injury caused by accident, self-defense, or
other action undertaken on the reasonable belief that it was necessary to protect some
other person shall not constitute a violation of this subdivision;

(4) Threatening or intimidating any student for the purpose of or with the intent of
obtaining money or anything of value from such student;

(5) Knowingly possessing, handling, or transmitting any object or material that is ordinarily
or generally considered a weapon or which is a firearm as defined by 18 U.S.C. 921;

(6) Engaging in the unlawful possession, selling, dispensing, or use of a controlled
substance or an imitation controlled substance, as defined in §28-401, a substance
represented to be a controlled substance, or alcoholic liquor as defined in §53-103 or
being under the influence of a controlled substance or alcoholic liquor;

(7) Public indecency as defined in §28-806, except that this subdivision shall apply only to
students at least twelve years of age but less than nineteen years of age;

(8) Sexually assaulting or attempting to sexually assault any person if a complaint has
been filed by a prosecutor in a court of competent jurisdiction alleging that the student
has sexually assaulted or attempted to sexually assault any person, including sexual
assaults or attempted sexual assaults which occur off school grounds not at an
educational function or event. For purposes of this subdivision, sexual assault shall
mean sexual assault in the first degree and sexual assault in the second degree as
defined in §28-319 and §28-320, as such sections now provide or may hereafter from
time to time be amended;

(9) Engaging in any other activity forbidden by the laws of the State of Nebraska which
activity constitutes a danger to other students or interferes with school purposes;

(10)A repeated violation of any rules and standards validly established pursuant to
§79-4,176 if such violations constitute a substantial interference with school purposes.

After a hearing requested pursuant to §79-4,181 and §79-4,182 R.R.S., a report shall be made by
the hearing examiner of his/her findings and a recommendation of the action to be taken, which
report shall explain, in terms of the needs of both students and the school board, the reasons for the
particular action recommended. Such recommendation may range from no action through the entire
field of counseling, to long term suspension, expulsion, mandatory assignment, or an alternative
educational placement under §79-4,197.01, provided, however, that nothing in this policy shall be
construed to require the hearing officer to avoid making a finding recommending suspension or
expulsion without an alternative educational placement.
Superintendent means Superintendent or his/her lawful designee.
Principal means Principal or his/her lawful designee.

II. RIGHT TO NOTICE:
It shall be the duty of the Superintendent to provide clear notice to each student and his
or her parent or guardian of all rules and standards concerning student conduct that have
been established or which will been established and promulgated by the Board of
Education. Such rules or standards which form the basis for discipline shall be
distributed to each student and his or her parent or guardian at the beginning of
each   school year. The Superintendent shall also be responsible for posting in a
conspicuous   place within each school building during the school year such rules or
standards. In the   event there are changes in the rules and standards, such changes
shall not take effect   until the Superintendent has made a reasonable effort to distribute
the text of such   changes to each student and his or her parent or guardian.

III. INFORMAL CONFERENCES:
Before any student is excluded, suspended, expelled, or mandatorily reassigned for a
violation of the district's code of student conduct, such student will attend an informal
conference with the Principal. During this conference, the Principal will inform the
student orally or in writing of the charges against him/her, including an explanation of
the evidence relating to such charges. If the student denies or disputes the charges
he/she will be given the opportunity to give his/her version of the events relating to the
charge.

IV. SHORT TERM SUSPENSION:
A. Informal Conference.
Before deciding whether a student should be subjected to a short term suspension, the
Principal shall hold an informal conference with the student, at which the student shall
be confronted with the charges, and be provided with an explanation of the charge or
charges if requested. The student shall also be provided an opportunity to present his or
her version of the facts relating to the charge. The Principal will decide whether the
charges against the student are substantially true and whether suspension is necessary;
(1) to help any student, (2) to further school purposes, or (3) to prevent an interference
with school purposes. If the Principal decides that the student engaged in the conduct
as charged, the Principal will impose the appropriate disciplinary action.

B. Development of Guidelines.
It shall be the policy of the district to utilize the following guidelines to determine to what
extent a student who has been absent, truant, suspended or expelled be given an
opportunity to complete any classwork, including but not limited to examinations missed
during the period:

1. There will be two school days allowed to make-up work for every day missed due to
absence. The two day make-up period may be extended at the discretion of the
instructor. Work made up within the allotted time will be given full credit.

2. There will be one school day allowed to make-up work for every day missed due to
truancy, class-skipping or for first occurrence disciplinary suspensions. The one day
make-up period may be extended at the discretion of the instructor with approval from
the principal. Work made up within the allotted time will be given full credit.

3. There will be no credit allowed for work missed due to a second or subsequent short
term disciplinary suspensions, long term suspensions or expulsion.

a. The principal may use discretion in enforcing the above guidelines with
consideration given to the impact the lack of opportunity to complete course
work and examinations would have on the student's ability to timely graduate,
obtain full credit for any course, and whether the disciplinary action would
unduly diminish or exaggerate the seriousness of the offense or cause any other
educational relevant outcome.

b. The only use of an "incomplete" will be when a student absence comes so late in
the 9 weeks that their make-up would extend into the next 9 weeks.

c. In no case, other than extreme illness, will make-up time extend over 5 regular
school days past the end of a semester. (Regular school days are Monday
through Friday)

d. The above guidelines shall be provided to the student and parent or guardian at
or prior to the time of suspension.

C. Written Notice.
When a student is suspended, the Principal shall send a written statement to the
student, and the student's parent or guardian, describing the student's conduct,
misconduct or violation of the rule or standard, and the reason for the suspension. The
Principal shall provide the student and the student's parent or guardian with the school
district's guidelines regarding the student's opportunity to complete any class work
missed during the period of suspension. The Principal shall make a reasonable effort to
hold a conference with the student's parent or guardian before or at the time the student
returns to school.

A. Written Charge and Written Notice.
If, after the initial conference between the Principal and the student, the Principal
decides that long term suspension, expulsion or mandatory reassignment is appropriate,
on the date of that decision, the Principal shall file a written charge and a summary of
the evidence supporting the charge with the Superintendent. Within 2 days of the
decision, the School shall send written notice by Registered Mail or Certified Mail to the
student and the student's parent or guardian informing them of their rights under the
Student Discipline Act. The written notice shall include the rule or standard of conduct
with which the student is charged of violating, a summary of the evidence to be
presented against the student, and both the penalty which the Principal has
recommended in the charge and any other penalty to which the student may be
subjected. The written notice shall inform the student and the student's parent or
guardian that they are entitled to a hearing, upon request, before long term suspension,
expulsion, or mandatory reassignment for disciplinary purposes can be invoked. Written
notice shall also contain a description of the hearing procedures provided by the Student
Discipline Act and the procedures for appealing any decision rendered at such a
hearing. The written notice shall also inform the student and the student's parent or
guardian that the Principal, the Legal Counsel for the school, the student, the student's
parent, or the student's representative or guardian shall have the right to examine the
student's academic and disciplinary records and any affidavits to be used at the hearing,
any written statements pertaining to the matter if the school has such statements, and to
know the identity of the witnesses which will appear at the hearing and the substance of
anticipated testimony from such witnesses. Finally, the written notice shall include a
form on which the student, or the student's parent or guardian may request a hearing.

B. Hearing Procedures For Hearings Requested Within 5 Days.
(1) Scheduling of the Hearing.
If the student or the student's parent or guardian requests a hearing within 5 days
after receipt of the written notice, the Superintendent shall appoint a hearing
examiner who shall, within 2 days after being appointed, give written notice to the
Principal, the student, and the student's parent or guardian of the time and place
of the hearing. The hearing shall be scheduled within 5 days after it is requested,
but it may be postponed by the hearing examiner for good cause. Unless all the
parties consent in writing, no hearing shall be held upon less than 2 school days
actual notice to the Principal, the student and the student's parent or guardian.

(2) Single Hearing for Multiple Students.
When more than one student is charged with violating the same rule and they are
charged with acting in concert and if the facts appear to the hearing officer to be
substantially the same, a single hearing may be held for such students as a group,
if the hearing examiner believes that a single hearing will not prejudice any of the
students. If during the pendency of the hearing, the examiner finds that a student
will be substantially prejudiced by a group hearing, the hearing examiner may
order a separate hearing for that student.

(3) Hearing Procedures.
During the hearing, the student and the student's parent or guardian will have the
opportunity to present the student's side of the case and to call and question
witnesses. No long term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory reassignment
hearing will be held unless it is attended by the hearing examiner, the student, the
student's parent or guardian, the student's representative, if any, and legal counsel
as defined in §79-4,187 R.R.S. 1943, if the hearing examiner or Superintendent
deems it advisable. Witnesses shall be present only while they are giving
testimony. The hearing examiner may exclude the student at times when the
student's psychological evaluation or emotional problems are being discussed and
may exclude anyone from the hearing when his or her action substantially disrupt
an orderly hearing. The student may speak in his or her own defense and may be
questioned on his or her testimony, but he or she may choose not to testify and in
such case, shall not be threatened with punishment or be later punished for refusal
to testify. During the hearing, the Principal shall present to the hearing examiner
the student's records, and statements, in affidavit form, of any person having
information about the student's conduct. However, such records and statements
will not be accepted by the hearing examiner unless, they had been made
available to the student, or the student's parent, guardian or representative prior to
the hearing. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to supplant any other
procedures required by law or board policy. Such explanation and interpretation
as desired by the hearing officer pertaining to student records shall be made prior
to or at the hearing by appropriate school personnel.

(4) Long Term Suspension, Expulsion, Mandatory Reassignment.
The hearing officer shall make reasonable efforts to compel the attendance of any
witness requested by the student, his or her parent, guardian or representative.
The hearing officer may invoke the subpoena procedures of the District and shall
in his or her sole discretion issue a subpoena in the name of the Board of
Education upon reasonable advance request in writing by the student, parent,
guardian or representative seeking the assistance of the hearing officer in
obtaining the attendance of a witness or witnesses.

(5) Hearing Examiner's Report and Superintendent's Determination.
After the hearing is concluded, the hearing examiner shall within a reasonable time
prepare a report of his or her findings with a recommendation of the action to be
taken and the reasons for the recommendations of that particular action. The
hearing examiner's recommendation may range from no action, through the entire
field of counseling, to long term suspension, expulsion,
mandatory reassignment or an alternative educational placement under
§79-4,197.01, and as described in this policy. The Superintendent shall review
the examiner's report and may change, revoke, or impose the sanction
recommended by the hearing examiner as long as the Superintendent does not
impose a sanction more severe than that recommended by the hearing examiner.
Written notice of the findings and recommendations of the hearing examiner and
the determination of the Superintendent shall be made by certified or registered
mail or by personal delivery to the student or the student's parent or guardian and
upon receipt of such written notice, the determination of the Superintendent shall
take effect immediately. Nothing in this policy shall require the hearing officer to
place a student in an alternative placement unless required by the Nebraska
Department of Education regulations.

(6) Appeal of the Superintendent's Determination.
The student or the student's parent or guardian may appeal the Superintendent's
determination to the School Board or the Board of Education by a written request
filed with the Secretary of the Board or with the Superintendent within 7 days of
their receipt of the written notice of the Superintendent's determination. If such a
hearing is requested, it will be held within a period of 10 school days after such
request unless the time for hearing is changed by mutual agreement of the student
and Superintendent. The appeal hearing may be held before a committee of the
School Board or Board of Education as long as at least three members are
present. After examining the record, and if necessary, taking new evidence, the
deliberating body may alter the Superintendent's disposition of the case if it finds
the decision to be too severe, but may not impose a more severe sanction. If the
appeal is heard by a committee of the Board as prescribed by §79-4,199 R.R.S.,
such committee shall make a recommendation to the Board of Education which
shall at it's first regular meeting next following the hearing before the committee
consider the committee's recommendation and take such action as the Board
may elect, as provided. However, that action may not impose a more severe
sanction than that recommended by the Superintendent. Nothing in this policy
shall be construed to require a committee of the Board or the Board of Education
to receive any new evidence unless the failure to do so would in the judgment of
the Board or the committee as applicable cause substantial unfairness in the
proceedings. Final action of the Board shall be evidenced by personally delivering
or mailing by certified mail a copy of the deliberating bodies decision to the
student and the student's parent or guardian.

C. Hearing Procedures For Hearings Requested:
If the student or the student's parent or guardian requests a hearing more than 5 school
days but not more than 30 calendar days following actual receipt of written notice, the
hearing shall be held, but the imposed punishment shall continue in effect pending final
determination, subject to the exceptions provided in the immediately following
subsection.

VI. IMMEDIATE REMOVAL BY THE PRINCIPAL:
The Principal may suspend a student immediately, regardless of the fact that a hearing was
requested within five days of notice of expulsion or long-term suspension by the school, if
the Principal determines that such immediate suspension is necessary to prevent or
substantially reduce the risk of; (a) interference with an educational function or school
purpose, or (b) personal injury to the student, other students, school employees, or school
volunteers. Although the preferable practice is that the Principal make such determination in
writing, nothing in this policy shall so require. If no hearing is requested, the immediate
suspension will continue until the date the long term suspension, expulsion, or mandatory
reassignment takes effect. If a hearing is requested, the suspension will continue until the
date the hearing examiner files the report of his or her findings with the Superintendent, if
the Principal has made a determination as above described.

A. In General.
Except as herein otherwise provided, the expulsion of a student shall be for a period not
to exceed the remainder of the semester in which the expulsion took effect. However, if
the misconduct occurred within 10 school days prior to the end of the first semester, the
expulsion may remain if effect through the second semester. If the misconduct occurred
within 10 school days prior to the end of the second semester, the expulsion may remain
in the effect for summer school and for the first semester of the following year.

B. Expulsion For Causing Personal Injury or For Possessing A Dangerous Weapon Other
Than A Firearm.
If a student is expelled for the use of force, or causing or attempting to cause personal
injury to another individual, or for knowingly and intentionally possessing or transmitting
a dangerous weapon other than a firearm, the expulsion shall be for a period not to
exceed the remainder of the school year in which it took effect if the misconduct occurs
during the first semester. If the expulsion takes place during the second semester, the
expulsion shall remain in effect for summer school and may remain in effect for the first
semester of the following school year.

C. Automatic Review Of Expulsions Which Continue During The First Semester Of The
Following Year.
Any expulsion that will remain in effect during the first semester of the following school
year shall be automatically scheduled for review and shall be reviewed by the hearing
examiner before the beginning school year. The review shall take place after the
hearing examiner has given notice of the review to the student and the student's parent
or guardian. The review shall be limited to newly discovered evidence or evidence of
changes in the student's circumstances occurring since the original hearing. If there is
no such evidence the hearing examiner need not provide a hearing in order to complete
his or her review. The hearing examiner may make a recommendation that the student
be readmitted for the upcoming school year. The student may be readmitted by
action of the Superintendent unless the School Board or Board of Education took the
final action to expel the student. Under such circumstances, the student may be
readmitted only by action of the board.

D. Use Of Force.
In the event a student is expelled for the knowing and intentional use of force in causing
or attempting to cause personal injury to a school employee, school volunteer, or student
except when such knowing and intentional use of force resulting in personal injury to
persons just named is caused by accident, self-defense, or other action undertaken on
the reasonable belief that it was necessary to protect some other person, or the knowing
and intentional possession, use, or transmission of a dangerous weapon other than a
firearm, shall be for a period not to exceed the remainder of the school year in which it
took effect if the misconduct occurs during the first semester. If the expulsion takes
place during the second semester, the expulsion shall remain in effect for summer
school and may remain in effect for the first semester of the following year. Such action
may be modified or terminated by the school district at any time during the expulsion
period.

E. Firearms.
It shall be the policy of the District when a student is determined to have knowingly and
intentionally possessed, used, or transmitted a firearm as defined by 18 U.S.C. 921, as
that statute existed on January 1, 1995, to expel such student for a period of not less
than one year if such student conduct occurred on school grounds, in a school owned
vehicle being used for school purpose, or at a school sponsored activity or athletic
event. Nothing in this policy, however, shall prohibit the Superintendent of Schools or
the Board of Education from modifying such required expulsion on an individual basis.
This policy shall not apply to the issuance of firearms to or possession of firearms by
members of the reserve officer training corp., or to firearms which may lawfully be
possessed by the person receiving instruction under the immediate supervision of an
adult instructor who may lawfully possess firearms.

VIII. SUSPENSION OF THE ENFORCEMENT OF EXPULSION:
Once a student has been expelled, the school district may suspend the enforcement of such
expulsion as long as such suspension does not extend beyond the end of the full semester
after the semester in which the expulsion took effect. During the period of time that the
expulsion is suspended, the school district may assign the student to a school, class, or
program which it deems appropriate for rehabilitation of the student. This district is by this
policy herewith authorized to join together with another district or districts as the
Superintendent may decide in providing such rehabilitation. This district may, by agreement
with another district, send it's suspended or expelled students to any school class, or
program operating in the other district. The rehabilitation program if offered may be a
community-centered classroom and may include experiences for the student as an observer
or aide in governmental functions, as an on the job trainee, or as a participant in specialized
tutorial experiences or individually prescribed educational and counseling programs. Such
programs shall include an individualized learning program to enable the student to continue
academic work for credit towards graduation. If, at the end of the period of suspension of
enforcement, the student has satisfactorily participated in the rehabilitation program, the
district shall permit the to return to the school of former attendance or to attend other
programs offered by the District. However, if the student's conduct has been unsatisfactory,
the District shall enforce the expulsion action. If the student is reinstated, the District by it's
Superintendent may also take action to expunge the record of the expulsion action.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the District or the Administration to
suspend the enforcement of any expulsion nor to require the District to enter into any
contract or other arrangement with another school district or districts to provide any
programs as are described in this section of the policy, unless required by the Nebraska
Department of Education.

IX. SUSPENSION OF EXPULSION PERIOD:
In the event the District has expelled the student, such expulsion may be suspended from
enforcement for a period of not more than one full semester in addition to the balance of the
semester in which the expulsion took effect. The District may, as a condition of such
suspended action, assign the student to a school, class, or alternative educational program,
which the school district deems appropriate for rehabilitation of the student. Effective
January 1, 1997, it shall be the policy of the district, in lieu of any programs that the district
may offer as a community centered classroom which may include experiences for the student
as an observer or aid in governmental functions, as an on the job trainee, or as a participant
in specialized tutorial experiences or individual prescribed educational and counseling
programs, to have an alternative school, class, or educational program available or in
operation for all students expelled or whose expulsion has been suspended pursuant to this
policy. Such alternative educational program, may consist of services provided at the
student residence unless specifically prohibited by any rules and regulations relating to
alternative schools, classes, and educational programs which may be developed by the
State Department of Education pursuant to lawful authority.

X. REPORTS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT:
In the event the principal knows or suspects that a violation of the Nebraska Criminal Code
has been violated on school property or off school property at a school function, and when
such act consists of any unlawful acts described in §79-4,180, the Principal shall notify the
County Sheriff or city law enforcement authorities, as appropriate. Before making such a
report, the principal shall undertake reasonable efforts to ascertain the truth or falsity of any
event upon which the making of a report to law enforcement would be based. Nothing in this
section shall be construed to require the reporting of any law violation by the Principal
except if the criminal act to be reported occurred on the school grounds of the District or
during an educational function or event in which the District is involved, but off school
grounds.

XI. REPORTS TO NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:
It shall further be the policy of the District to provide to the Nebraska Department of
Education on an annual basis the following:

A. An assurance that the school district has, in effect, the policy required by statute
pertaining to firearms, a copy of which assurance shall be developed by the
Superintendent of Schools or shall be as prescribed by the Nebraska Department
of Education.

B. A description of the circumstances surrounding any expulsions imposed under the
immediately proceeding paragraph of this policy, including the name of the
district, the number of students expelled from school, and the type of firearm
concerned.

XII. RELEASE TO PEACE OFFICER:
Consistent with any other lawful policy of the district, when a principal or other school official
releases a minor student to a sheriff, coroner, jailer, marshall, police officer, state highway
patrol officer, member of the national guard on active service by direction of the Governor
during periods of emergency, or any other person with similar authority to make arrests, the
Principal or other school official shall take immediate steps to notify the parent, guardian, or
responsible relative of the minor regarding the release of the minor to such officer. The
Principal shall inform the parent, guardian, or responsible relative of the place to which the
minor is reportedly being taken unless the minor has been taken into custody as a victim of
suspected child abuse in which case, the Principal or school official shall provide the
authority by whom the minor has been taken into custody with the address and telephone
number of the minor's parent or guardian or other responsible relative.

XIII. COORDINATION WITH OTHER DISTRICT POLICIES:
Nothing in this policy shall be construed to modify any of the District's existing policies on
student privacy, student records, or policies pertaining to the district's role in dealing with the
Department of Social Services, law enforcement officials, or other authorities who seek
information from the school about a student when such knowledge is or may be privileged or
private by applicable law.

Attendance records will be maintained in the teacher's daily register. If a child is suspected of
truancy, the principal should be notified.

Nonresident students may be accepted as tuition students in the schools under the following
conditions:

2. Admission is subject to review of the educational records and administration
of appropriate educational, physical, psychological and psychiatric examinations.

4. Transportation will not be provided if the student lives outside the district.

5. Admission is probationary, subject to periodic review, and must be reapproved
annually.

6. Subject to the qualifications in 1, 2, 4 and 5 above, students who are residents of
nations other than the United States may be admitted without payment of tuition
under recognized foreign student exchange programs in which students are accepted
on an equivalent basis in foreign countries.

Credits of students transferring into this school district from accredited schools or school districts
or from approved private elementary and secondary schools will be accepted at face value.

Students so transferring will be assigned to teachers and classes by the school principal at the
levels indicated by the credit and grade record of said students, subject to later review by the
principal based upon the transferring students' subject to later review by the principal based
upon the transferring students' experience in this school district.

Students who seek to transfer into this school district from non-accredited correspondence
school and non-approved and non-accredited private elementary and secondary schools will be
subject to evaluation of their educational experience in a
manner determined by the professional staff under the general direction and supervision of the
superintendent of schools. The placement of such students in this school district will be based
upon the results of such evaluation.

Pending the outcome of the evaluation procedures, such transferring students may be given
probationary assignment by the principal to teachers and classes.

Students transferring from other districts will be classified temporarily in the grade in which they
state they came from and then after their records are received the necessary adjustments will be
made. (79-444)

When a student drops out of school he/she must report to the Principal's office. He/she
must complete the Student Withdrawal Slip before official confirmation of his/her dropping can be
made. If a student leaves school without officially dropping, requests for transcripts from other
schools may be denied until the pupil has officially dropped.

All books must be turned in and accounted for. The Withdrawal Slip must be signed by each
teacher, sponsor, and treasurer of organizations of which the student is a member, the librarian,
guidance counselor and the principal before a transcript will be forwarded.

The extent of each student's progress toward school adopted goals shall continually be of central
concern to the school staff. Within the assumptions inherent in the grading system, student
progress shall be viewed comprehensively in the light of such factors as the student's

--age
--mental health
--social needs
--level of maturity
--ability as determined by objective and subjective data
--educational achievement
--environmental influences

Retention or acceleration decisions will be the responsibility of the professional staff with final
authority residing in the superintendent or his delegate. Parents, teachers, the student involved,
and other concerned persons must be included in the discussions leading to a decision.

2. selected statistics on pupil progress in various grades and subject areas. (cf. 6180)

In general, pupils will be placed at the grade level to which they are best adjusted academically,
socially, and emotionally.

The teachers in Grade K through 6 shall determine the grade in which a pupil shall be classified.
The final report of school marks for the year shall state the grade in which the pupil shall be
placed at the beginning of the following term.

Principals with the assistance of teachers shall determine all grade placements of pupils.

Pupils with prior schooling outside of the district will normally be placed initially in the grade level
they have reached elsewhere, but demotions and promotions may be made at the time of entry in
extreme cases where strong indications of advantages to the pupil are present.

Because the public schools of the district are dedicated to the best total and continuous
development of each pupil enrolled, the professional staff is expected to place pupils at the
grade level best suited to them academically, socially and emotionally.

Pupils will normally progress annually from grade to grade. Exceptions may be made when, in
the judgment of the professional staff, such exceptions are in the best educational interest of the
pupils involved. Exceptions will always be made after prior notification and explanation to each
pupil's parents, but the final decision will rest with the school authorities.

In the high school, a pupil must have earned 40 hours of credit beyond the ninth grade to be
classified as a sophomore, 80 hours to be classified as a junior and 120 hours to be classified as
a senior.

Children seem to do their best work in school when they are placed in a grade with other children
of their same chronological age. However, it is occasionally desirable for a child to be placed in
a grade above or below his actual chronological age because of maturity, mental ability, health,
background or other factors. The rules regarding these children are as follows:

1. It is recommended that most adjustments in pupil placement be accomplished
in the kindergarten, first, second, or third grades; however, grade placement
at all levels shall be flexible, with the child's optimum progress and adjustment
being the guiding criteria in all cases.

2. The decision as to pupil placement (retention or acceleration) shall be made by the
school principal in accordance with the procedures outlined below.

3. The decision should be made after careful consideration of the following factors:

a. Physical Maturity
1) Chronological age
2) Physical size
3) Physical Development-delayed by poor health, coordination, speech
4) Attendance
5) General Health

b. Social and Emotional Maturity (in school environment)
1) Social adjustments: playmates, social group
2) Ability to communicate orally
3) Child's feeling of confidence

c. Academic Achievement
1) Scores made on intelligence and achievement tests
2) Teacher evaluation of child's ability
3) Academic expectancy (in terms of age and ability)
4) Breadth of background
5) Child's willingness to take on new learnings (effort-attitudes)
6) Maturity of child's judgments
7) Child's general alertness - interest
8) Instructional environment

d. Reaction to Placement (emotional status)
1) Home and family influence (home environment)
2) Parent reaction to placement
3) Pupil's reaction to placeme

Procedures to be followed in special promotion or non-promotion shall be as follows:

1. Any teacher who feels that a child should be considered for special promotion or
non-promotion should confer with the parent between December and April to
gain their help and to prepare them for special promotion or nonpromotion.
Nothing should be said at these conferences that would indicate to the parent
that a decision has been made.

2. When the teacher first feels that a particular child's problem can be improved by
special grade placement, he should bring the matter to the attention of his principal.

3. Following consultation with the parents and following the third reporting period, the
"Preliminary Analysis to Recommend Special Promotion or Nonpromotion" form
should be completed, signed by the teacher and the principal and submitted to the
coordinator of guidance. (The third reporting period referred to above should not
prevent immediate action in special cases where it is felt the child would benefit
from a reassignment at once.)

4. The coordinator of guidance will review the recommendation to determine whether
any special information is necessary. Informal conferences with the child's
teacher or principal, or special testing of the child may be advisable.

5. If special grade placement seems to be in the best interests of the child and the
school, the parents should be called in for a special conference to be made aware
of the school's recommendations, and their consideration of the recommendation
sought.

The board wishes the professional staff to devise and maintain a variety of reporting methods so
that each parent may be apprised of his child's progress in the light of school goals.

Regular report cards shall be issued each nine weeks. Additional reports shall be given from
time to time as the occasion demands. Reports of failure or near failure will be mailed from the
principals' offices whenever it is evident that the student's work is unsatisfactory. Parents will be
encouraged to visit school for conferences with the principal and/or teacher and if advisable, in
the presence of the pupil.

It shall be the policy of Cedar County School District No. 54 to annually notify parents and
eligible students within the District of the rights provided by the "Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act. It shall be the policy of the District to place a listing in the Parent-Student
Handbook and distribute annually to parents/students the following rights.

1. The right to review student records, to request amendments to those records, and to
challenge any denial of such amendment requested by way of hearing.

2. The right to prevent disclosure of records that are not of a routine directory nature.

3. The right to notify the school that the parent or eligible student does not consent to the
release of directory information by giving the school written notice of such objection;
provided, however, that routine directory information that is permitted or required by
Nebraska law to be released will not be affected by such a request, nor shall records
ordered by judicial order or subpoena to be released be affected, provided that the
District makes reasonable effort to notify the parents of such order or subpoena.

Laurel-Concord Public School, District # 54 is committed to the goal of providing quality
education for every child in this district. Therefore, district officials shall foster and facitlitate the
extension of appropriate parental information and involvement in the education of their children.

In accordance with the requirements of LB 1161, the board of education, after having conducted
a public hearing concerning parental involvement and participation in the school district,
herewith declares that it shall be the policy of the District to provide full access at reasonable
times to the parent of any student of this District to review textbooks, tests, curriculum, materials,
records of a student of any such parent, unless otherwise prohibited by law, and to any surveys
of students done by the school district.

Requests by parents to attend and monitor courses, assemblies, counseling sessions, and other
instructional activities shall be presented to the classroom teacher/sponsor or superintendent or
his/her designee prior to the time when the attendance requested by the parent would occur.
Requests to the superintendent or his/her designee must be submitted in writing on the form
supplied by the district. These forms shall seek information about the specific date, time,
instructor/sponsor, program or instructional material in question, and a proposed solution for
resolution of the complaint from the parent's perspective.

It shall be the policy of Laurel-Concord Public School to attempt to provide as uniform an
experience as possible in all classroom instruction, testing, surveys, and other school
experiences. It shall further be the policy of the District that concerns about classroom
instruction, testing, and other school experiences a parent finds objectionable be submitted in
writing on the complaint form hereinabove referred to. The superintendent or his/her designee
shall consult the person responsible for the instruction, testing or other school experiences in
question and consider the request. While it is the practice of the District not to excuse the
student from required activities, a reasonable compromise or alternative assignment may be
arranged in place of the objectionable activity.

It shall be the policy of Laurel-Concord Public Schools to use only testing methods and testing
instruments that are not of an experimental nature and to avoid using any testing materials or
testing techniques that are not generally recognized by educational professionals to be within
sound educative standards or otherwise educationally appropriate.

It shall be the policy of Laurel-Concord Public Schools to conduct student surveys judicially, with
full consideration to the fact that certain parents may find certain items of survey objectionable.
It shall, however, be the policy of the district to not generally exempt students from any school
authorized survey since to do so might impair the validity and accuracy of such a survey. It shall
further be the policy of the District to notify parents of any surveys or standardized testing that
may be scheduled within the school district.

It shall further be the policy of Laurel-Concord Public Schools to provide full access to the
records of the students to a parent or guardian all as set forth in §79-4,157, the Federal
Education Right To Privacy Act, and other applicable law during regular business hours of the
school at the main office or wherever the student's records may be regularly maintained

The school board supports the need of educational records being kept for each pupil that will
reflect the interrelationships of the physical, emotional, and social aspects of a child's
development in the educational process.

The school board supports the student's, parent's, related other agencies; and professional
personnel's "right to know" the recorded information in circumstances deemed advisable by the
professional staff. The need for regulations governing the collections, dissemination, and
general development of such regulations is a recognized responsibility of the superintendent who
will seek the advice of the professional staff.

A cumulative record shall be maintained for each pupil from his entrance into school through the
twelfth grade. Such records pertaining to the individual pupil may be used only for the benefit,
promotion, or welfare of the pupil.

All material in each cumulative record shall be treated as confidential, according to the following
guidelines:

1. No data shall be collected about pupils without the prior informed consent of
the child and his parents. Such consent may be given either individually or by
action of the board of education as the parents' legal representatives. The collection
of highly sensitive data will always be by individual rather than representational
consent.
2. Schools shall establish procedures to verify the accuracy of data and to destroy
periodically information no longer really needed.
3. Parents may have full access to, and the right to challenge the accuracy of, data
on their children, and no one but school personnel and parents should have
access to pupil data without either a subpoena or the written permission of the
student and his parents.

Information about a pupil demands judicious use and should always be used so as to contribute
to his welfare. Upon the request of a pupil's parents, all tests will be translated into meaningful
terms for their benefit, and emphasis will be placed upon the relationships of all known factors
influencing the educational development of the pupil.

Individual pupil responses to tests or questionnaires administered to secure statistical group,
school or school system data useful in program improvement shall be anonymous and not made
part of each pupil's record. If, in the opinion of the administration, topics to be so investigated
are so sensitive as to constitute an invasion of privacy even under conditions of anonymity,
individual consent should be requested.

We believe that excellence in any area of school life on the part of pupils should receive
recognition. All awards must be justified on the basis of worthy contributions to the school
community.

The school district may accept plaques, gifts, or memorials honoring students or graduates of the
district for outstanding achievement or personal sacrifice. The acceptance of such plaques, gifts
or memorials from persons not connected with the schools is not approved until the school board
determines that the origins and purposes of such trophies, prizes or awards are consistent with
school goals.

The board encourages the professional staff to maintain a set of criteria and procedures for
presenting letters or other suitable awards to students for scholarship and distinguished service
in any school activity. In all cases, the relationship between the award and the relevant goal or
goals of the schools should be pointed out.

Recipients of awards must be approved by group action including pupils, teachers, and
administration. In some cases interested citizens may be involved, but the final selection shall
reside within the school staff.

The principal and activities director shall be responsible for the organization of all student
activities. They shall provide adequate supervision, administer student finances, and approve all
student activities with the assistance of delegated member of the faculty.

A parent or guardian who wishes his or her child (or children) to be excused from certain types of
student activities for religious or physical reasons, must present the request in writing to the
principal who will make his or decision in the light of board policy. Appeals of such decisions
should be directed to the superintendent. Appeals of the superintendent's decision may be made
to the board.

All activities are to be carried on in accordance with the policies of the Nebraska School
Activities Association and the policies of the board of education.

The activity program shall be so managed and scheduled as to operate to the best interest of the
pupils. Their school work, health, community responsibilities and safety shall be determining
factors in activity schedules. Because of the distance which groups must necessarily travel in
Northeast Nebraska, consideration will be given the activities both at home and away. When
possible, activities scheduled outside Laurel will be on Friday afternoon, Friday evenings, or
Saturdays.

The duties of an activity director include the approval of all schedules of activities so that
conflicts with other schools are avoided whenever possible. Publicity for all activities is
encouraged. The activities director must make certain that all students engaged in sports are
properly insured. At the end of the year it is the activity director's duty to file the yearly athletic
reports covering all phases of competitive sports in which the school participated.

The usual athletic contests, musical and dramatic activities, properly scheduled, will be
approved. Other activities will be considered at the discretion of the school authorities, keeping
in mind always that entertainment should be of a high caliber.

One of the missions of Cedar County District #54, a/k/a, Laurel-Concord Public School is to provide a physically safe and emotionally secure environment for all students and staff. Positive behaviors (non-violence, cooperation, teamwork, understanding, and acceptance of others) are to be encouraged in the educational program and are required of all staff. Inappropriate behaviors (bullying, intimidation, and harassment) are to be identified and students and all staff are required to avoid such behaviors. Strategies and practices are to be implemented to reinforce positive behaviors and to discourage and protect others from inappropriate behaviors.

Student Discipline Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. '' 79-254 to 79-296; NDE February 2003 State Board Action

A student's conduct is a personal matter that he should keep within reasonable bounds that
apply equally to all members of the community. He should have freedom and encouragement to
express his individuality in school in any way so long as his conduct does not intrude upon and
endanger the freedom of others - especially upon the freedom of his peers to receive instruction.
The board's intent is to establish a rational position between freedom for each individual and the
necessity for sufficient order to permit the operation of the instructional program.

Respect for the individuality of pupils argues against attempts by the school to force pupil
behavior into a common mold. Our board approved statement of school goals emphasizes our
schools' responsibility for helping each pupil to develop his unique abilities to the maximum.

The board recognizes that implementation of this policy calls for sensitive, tolerant,
intelligent action on the part of the school staff so that fostering of individuality is not
incompatible with educationally sound group effort. In each instance in which an employee acts
to help a student conduct himself properly, emphasis shall be placed upon the growth of the
student in ability to discipline himself.

All students, on the other hand, should recognize the consequences of their conduct. This refers
to their actions toward each other, to their language, to their dress, and to their manners.

Students both individually and in groups shall comply with school regulations, and shall
recognize the authority of the teachers. Disobedience or open defiance of the teacher's authority
shall constitute sufficient cause for disciplinary action and may result in suspension or expulsion
from school. When, in the judgment of a teacher, an individual or a group effectively challenges
his authority to conduct meaningful instruction in a classroom through disruptive acts, abusive
language, or threats of bodily harm, the teacher shall report such activity at once to the principal
who is empowered to institute appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action.

Students traveling out of town on school buses for school sponsored activities must return to
Laurel in the same bus unless they have presented to the principal or sponsor in advance a
statement signed by a parent or guardian granting consent for the student to ride home in a
vehicle driven by the parent or guardian.

Courtesy should be practiced at all times in the halls and classrooms. Orderly passing to and
from classes and at dismissal time will be obeyed. Loitering in the halls, classrooms, locker
rooms and gymnasium, running, shoving, whistling, lovemaking, etc. will be grounds for
disciplinary action. Rules of good behavior and respect for others should be practiced in all
areas of the building and grounds.

No cars at school are to be driven during the noon hour or in the morning before school
commences.

Pupils are not be permitted to drive cars and/or transport other pupils to and from any off-campus
event planned or sponsored by the school.

To minimize the disruption of the educational process, to assure the safety of students and
faculty, and to protect public property, the administration is authorized to implement the following
procedures. At all times the safety of the students shall be uppermost in the minds of those in
charge of a building during a time of tension.

1. When there is evidence that an unusual situation may be developing,
the principal shall alert police authorities, and notify the superintendent.

2. In the event of a student strike or student disorder, the policy shall be to
take firm measures.

3. The building principal or his delegate shall confront the students causing the
disturbance. He shall make himself available to meet immediately with the
representatives of the students causing the disturbance and shall inform the
other students that he expects them to return to their regular classroom routine.

4. If the students fail to abide by such directions, the principal is authorized to
suspend those students causing the disturbance and direct them to leave the
building with the understanding that they will not be readmitted unless
accompanied by a parent or a guardian.

5. If the disruptive students refuse to leave the building and the school grounds
after a reasonable time has elapsed in the judgment of the building principal,
he shall call in the police authorities.

6. The building principal should clearly state to the disruptive group that upon
arrival of the police authorities they are subject to arrest.

7. Should a confrontation of any kind every develop, the building principal will
submit to the superintendent, in writing, a complete report of such incident.

8. The board reaffirms its policy that the principal is always available to receive
the request of students in a peaceful, orderly, and reasonable manner, and that
he is free to exercise administrative judgment in a specific instance.

In all instances where it appears to be, and is determined by the superintendent of schools, that
school property has been willfully and maliciously destroyed, it shall be the policy of the school
board that the superintendent is authorized in the name of the
district to formally refer the person, if he or she be a minor who has caused such willful and
malicious destruction of school property, to the proper authorities for discipline.

The board views vandalism against school property by students as reprehensible. The causes of
such misbehavior often are complex, calling for careful study by parents, school staff and
appropriate community officials to determine the causes.

Accordingly, the superintendent is authorized to take such steps as are necessary

2. to call together persons, including the parents, needed to study
the causes and to advise him on appropriate disciplinary action.

3. to decide upon disciplinary action and to assess costs against
the students and/or their parents.

4. to take any constructive actions needed to guard against the future
student misbehavior.

It shall be the policy of Cedar County School District #54, in addition to standards of student
conduct elsewhere adopted by board policy or administrative regulation to absolutely prohibit the
unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol on school premises or as a part
of any of the school's activities. This shall include such unlawful possession, use, or distribution
of illicit drugs and alcohol by
any student of the District during regular school hours or after school hours at school sponsored
activities on school premises, at school sponsored activities off school premises.

Conduct prohibited at places and activities as hereinabove described shall include, but not be
limited to, the following:

1. Possession of any controlled substance, possession of which is prohibited
by law.

3. Possession of alcohol on school premises or as a part of any of the
school's activities.

7. Distribution of any drug or controlled substance when such distribution
is unlawful.

It shall further be the policy of the District that violation of any of the above prohibited acts will
result in disciplinary sanctions being taken within the bounds of applicable law, up to and
including short term suspension, long term suspension, expulsion, referral to appropriate
authorities for criminal prosecution.

The following procedures have been developed to aid members of the staff in dealing with the
use, possession, selling, or supplying of drugs:

1. If a staff member has reason to believe that a student is ill for any
reason, the following procedure should go into effect:
a. The nurse-teacher is to be notified immediately.
b. If the nurse-teacher feels that the illness is drug-related,
   she will notify the building principal.
c. The principal will, at this time, contact the parents or direct the
   nurse-teacher to contact the parents. Following contact with the
   parents, a decision will be made by the principal, with the advice
   of the nurse-teacher, as to whether the student should remain in
   school or be taken home by the parents.
d. First aid will be administered as necessary and as prescribed by law.
e. If a parent cannot be contacted and the illness persists, the nurse-teacher
will contact the family physician or school physician and follow his
   direction. Should it be necessary to hospitalize the student, in the
   opinion of the physician, the nurse-teacher will accompany the
   student to the hospital. If no physician can be contacted, the nurse
   may arrange to hospitalize the student. The principal will be
   responsible for continuing to contact the parents and physician of
   the student.
f. The above refers to all in-school cases. Any notification of appropriate
   law enforcement agencies will be the responsibility of the building
   principal.
2. School authorities holding tangible evidence of the possession and/or peddling of
drugs in school shall follow this procedure:
a.   The principal will notify the appropriate law enforcement agency.
b. The principal will notify the parent and the appropriate assistant
   superintendent (elementary/secondary) who will notify the
   superintendent.
c. Suspension of the student may be initiated by the principal, pursuant
   to state statutes.
3. In instances of suspected drug use or peddling outside of school, the school
   personnel may notify appropriate law enforcement agencies of information
that has come to their attention.
4. Should a student be arrested or convicted of possession of drugs or trafficking
in drugs outside of school, the superintendent may initiate suspension
proceedings under state statute, depending on the merits of the particular case.

It shall be the policy of Cedar County School District No. 54 to provide age appropriate,
developmentally based drug and alcohol education and prevention program for all students of
the schools. It shall be the policy of the District to require instruction at each grade level
concerning the adverse effects resulting from the use of illicit drugs
and alcohol. Such instruction shall be designed by affected classroom teachers or as
otherwise directed by the Board to be appropriate to the age of the student exposed to such
instruction. Such instruction should be described in any curriculum guides of the District and
should have as one of its primary objectives preventing the use of illicit drugs and alcohol by
such students.&

ARTICLE 5 - STUDENTS - SERIES 5000
5000	Concept and Roles in Student Personnel
5001	Admission Requirements
5001	Student Admission Forms
5004	Full-Time and Part-Time Enrollment - LB821
5004	Part-Time Enrollment Application Form
5006.1	Student Fees
5101	Student Discipline Policy LB1199
5101	Student Discipline Policy (Revised 2008)
5103	Extracurricular Activity Discipline (Steroids)
5110	Attendance
5111	Admission Requirements
5111.1	Discontinuance of Enrollment for Children Younger Than Six Years of Age
5112.1	Open Enrollment
5112.2	Post-graduate
5113	Attendance and Attendance Policy
5114(a)	Definitions and Standards
5114(b)	Right to Notice
5114(c),(d)	Short Term Suspension
5114(e),(f),(g),(h)	Long Term Suspension, Expulsion, and Mandatory Reassignment
5114(i)	Immediate Removal by the Principal
5114(j)	Maximum Length of Expulsion
5114(k)	Suspension of the Enforcement of Expulsion
5114(l)	Reports to Law Enforcement
5114(m)	Release to Peace Officer
5115	Attendance Records: Registers
5118	Nonresidents
5119(a),(b)	Transfers: Withdrawals
5120	Progress
5122(a),(b)	Assignment to Teachers and Classes
5123(a),(b),(c)	Promotion/Retention
5124(a),(b)	Reporting to Parents
5125	Family Rights and Privacy
5125.1(a),(b)	Parent Involvement
5125.2	Students Records: Confidentiality
5126	Awards for Achievement
5126.1	Activities
5130	Anti-Bullying
5131	Conduct
5131.1	Bus Transportation
5131.2	Classroom, Hall and Grounds Conduct
5131.3	Student Driving
5131.4, 5131.41	Student Activism
5131.5(a),(b)	Vandalism/Destruction
5131.6(a)	Drugs, Tobacco, Alcohol
5131.6(b)	Procedures for Dealing with Drug Problems
5131.61	Drug and Alcohol Education
5131.62	Drug & Alcohol
5131.63	Drug/Alcohol Counseling and Rehabilitation
5132(a)	Student Dress
5132(b)	Dress
5134	Married/Pregnant Students
5135	Part-Time Employment
5136(a), 6145.5	Social Events: Meetings: Clubs
5136(b),(c),6145.5	Clubs, Societies, Fraternities
5137	Management of Funds
5140	Welfare
5141	Health
5141.1	Accident and Injury
5141.2(a)	Inoculations
5141.2(b)	Health Assessment & Immunization
5141.21	Administering Medication
5141.3	Welfare and Health
5141.4	Health Regulations: Physical by Physician
5141.5	Student Social Services: Child Abuse
5141.6	Emergency Protocol
5141.6(a)	Emergency Protocol Regulation
5142	Safety: Personal and Possessions
5142.1	Fire Prevention
5143(a),(b)	Insurance
5144(a)	Corporal Punishment
5144(b),(c),5145	Discipline/Punishment
5145.11,1411	Police Questioning & Apprehension
5145.12(a)	Search and Seizure/Lockers
5145.12(b)	Student Lockers
5145.2	Freedom of Speech
5145.31(a),(b),1330	Access to School Facilities
5145.4	Nondiscrimination Education Programs
5145.41	School Symbols
5202	Student Records (FERPA)
5202	Annual FERPA Notice
5415	Bullying Policy
5415	Sample Minutes (reflect annual review of bullying policy)
5416	School Wellness Policy
5418	Homeless Students Policy
5418	Homeless Students Policy Forms