Code of Student Conduct

2019-2020

English Code of Student Conduct & Policy Guide

Spanish Code of Student Conduct & Policy Guide

2018-2019 Parent Opt-Out Notification Form

Scope of Authority

Florida law requires that the Code of Student Conduct is distributed and discussed at the beginning of the school year. This code is used to govern conduct and discipline in the Lake County Schools. Each student must obey district rules while on school grounds; while being transported to or from school at public expense; during a reasonable time before and after the student is on the premises for attendance at school or for authorized participation in a school-sponsored activity, and only when on the premises; and during school-sponsored events, field trips, athletic functions, and similar activities. During such times, all students are subject to the immediate control and direction of teachers, staff members, or bus drivers to whom such responsibility has been assigned by the principal. Student disciplinary infractions and the interventions are divided into four levels. Each level represents progressively more serious infractions, and interventions become progressively more severe.

This Code also applies to students who commit felonies or delinquent acts which would be felonies if committed by an adult, off School Board owned property or whose off-campus conduct may have a detrimental effect on the orderly operation of a school, or jeopardize the health, safety, or welfare of students and staff members of a school. Furthermore, students may be subject to school disciplinary sanctions when they commit acts away and apart from school that can be shown to pose a threat or danger to the safety of other students, staff, or school property, or will prevent the orderly delivery of the instructional program, or present danger to the student who committed the infraction.

The Lake County School Board approved the Code of Student Conduct and Policy Guide to help students, parents, and school personnel understand the guidelines for maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment. The Code of Student Conduct and Policy Guide was developed by district staff, school-based administrators, teachers, and parents and is reviewed on a yearly basis. This Code applies to all Lake County Public School students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12, including Lake County Virtual, high school students attending the Lake Technical Center or a college dual-enrollment program. The Code has been developed for the purpose of informing students and parents of policies and procedures for students enrolled in Lake County Schools. We feel confident that it will assist in making school days pleasant and productive. It is the responsibility of each student and parent to read, understand and abide by this Code of Student Conduct & Policy Guide. All policies listed in this Code are subject to change due to School Board action. Students will be notified when such changes occur. The changes will be posted on the district web site at lake.k12.fl.us. Policies referenced in this Code can be further researched at lake.k12.fl.us. Some schools may have additional school-based rules to ensure a safe learning environment.

Students should be advised that violations of the Code of Student Conduct and Policy Guide may also be violations of Florida Law. Thus, students may be subject to school facilitated discipline as well as discipline imposed by local law enforcement authorities. School Resource Deputies/Officers and other law enforcement authorities have the power to conduct investigations independent of those conducted by school personnel for the same incident. Furthermore, the sanctions imposed by the school district for misconduct are separate and distinct from the consequences that may be imposed following the arrest and prosecution of a student for a violation of law originating from the same incident. Please keep in mind that failure of one entity to act does not prevent the other from taking appropriate actions consistent with this Code of Student Conduct or with Florida law.

NOTE: It is beyond the scope of this handbook to identify all potentially relevant state laws, rules, or regulations and School Board of Lake County policies that may apply to a specific disciplinary case. Therefore, this publication of the Code of Student Conduct and Policy Guide is not an exhaustive representation of every possible example of inappropriate behavior for which a student may receive a disciplinary consequence.