DISCIPLINE POLICY

The New Mexico Public Education Department Regulation No. 81-3 sets forth certain prohibited acts in all New Mexico Public Schools and for students whenever they are subject to school control. The prohibited acts are: Criminal or delinquent acts, disruptive conduct, refusal to identify self, and refusal to cooperate with school personnel. Discipline options include, but are not limited to: conference, call to parents, assignment of Behavior Modification Specialist (BMS), signed contract (as per the Student Assistant Team, SAT, process), 30 minute detention before or after school, corporal punishment, in school Suspension (ISS), out of School Suspension (OSS) for up to 10 days, referral to Juvenile Probation Officer (JPO), OSS for more than 10 days, or recommendation to superintendent of schools for expulsion.

The following discipline definitions and rubrics will be followed: 

Minor offenses Include:

1. Dress code violations, see dress code policy
2. Casual profanity
3. Tardy (after three)
4. Cheating
5. Possessing Tobacco
6. Uncooperative/disruptive behavior
7. Minor student intimidation
8. Missing assignments
9. Horseplay-shoving, pushing, without anger (back)

Major offenses Include:

1. Profanity aimed at staff
2. Use of tobacco
3. Fighting- angry/aggressive behavior, punching, kicking, hitting
4. Defiance of school personnel/rules
5. Gang related activity
6. Truancy- see Attendance
7. Vandalism/Graffiti
8. Blatant disrespect
9. Verbal/physical harassment
10. Misuse of computer privileges
11. Theft (back)

Zero Tolerance offenses Include:

1. Weapons
2. Assault/threats to staff members/students
3. Sexual harassment
4. Controlled substances (back)

MINOR OFFENSE DISCIPLINE RUBRIC OFFENSE CONSEQUENCE 1 Behavior logged, conference with principal 2 #1 and student calls parent, detention may be given. 3 #2 and principal visits with parent. Swat or detention given. 4 Call to parent, ISS or swat(s), Parent meeting with Behavior Contract signed by parent, principal, and student. 5 Call to parent, 2 days ISS and/or 2 swats. A swat may substitute a day of ISS up to 3 days. 6 Call to parent, Behavior Management Support (BMS) assigned or Parent Shadow for one day, and/or 3 days ISS and/or 3 swats. A swat may substitute a day of ISS up to 3 days. 7 BMS assigned or Parent Shadow for two days, and/or 4 days ISS or a combination of swats and ISS. A swat may substitute a day of ISS up to 3 days. 8 BMS assigned and/or 5 days ISS or a combination of swats and ISS. A swat may substitute a day of ISS up to 3 days 9 On the 9th offense the student is considered a chronic offender and referral is made to appropriate counseling services including SAT team action. The student’s behavior may warrant him/her being referred to the JPO for family evaluation.

Note: The use of counseling services at any time in the discipline rubric, with or without a discipline referral will be considered.

Note: Detention will be supervised and will be a 30-minute time period, before or after school or during lunch. Failures to show up for a detention will double the time period assigned. Parents will be notified of the detention and scheduling will be accordingly. (back)

MAJOR OFFENSE DISCIPLINE RUBRIC OFFENSE CONSEQUENCE 1 Call to parent, one day ISS and/or swat(s) 2 Call to parent, two days ISS and/or swat(s), BMS assigned or Parent Shadow for one day. Parent meeting with Behavior Contract signed by parent, principal, and student. 3 Call to parent, BMS assigned or Parent Shadow for two days, and/or 3 days ISS and/or 3 swats. A swat may substitute a day of ISS up to 3 days. 4 BMS assigned or Parent Shadow for two days, and/or 4 days ISS or a combination of swats and ISS. A swat may substitute a day of ISS up to 3 days. 5 BMS assigned and/or 5 days ISS or a combination of swats and ISS. A swat may substitute a day of ISS up to 3 days 6 On the 6th Major offense the student is considered a chronic offender and referral is made to appropriate counseling services including SAT team action. The student’s behavior may warrant him/her being referred to the JPO for family evaluation.

Note: The use of counseling services at any time in the discipline rubric, with or without a discipline referral will be considered. (back)

ZERO TOLERANCE DISCIPLINE RUBRIC OFFENSE CONSEQUENCE 1 Referral to law enforcement and Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) for up to 10 days. 2 Referral to law enforcement and OSS for more than 10 days.

Note: Due to the serious nature of Zero Tolerance offenses, a student may be referred to the superintendent of schools for expulsion or long-term suspension on the first offense. The use of counseling services at any time in the discipline rubric, with or without a discipline referral will be considered.

Note: Should a parent be aggrieved by a disciplinary action, please refer to the section on Grievance Procedures.

Note: For criminal offenses where outside authorities are called, the student is still subject to school discipline procedures and penalties. (back)

Note: See the section on SPECIAL ED. students for their penalties.