Policy No. 3241

Section: 3000 - Students

 

STUDENT DISCIPLINE

Introduction/Philosophy/Purpose

The board focuses on the educational achievement of every student. The district holds high expectations for all students and gives all students the opportunity to achieve personal and academic success. The board intends that this policy and procedure be implemented in a manner that supports a positive school climate, maximizes instructional time, and increases equitable educational opportunities.

The purposes of this policy and accompanying procedure include:

1. Providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
2. Providing due process to students.
3. Implementing culturally responsive discretionary and nondiscretionary discipline policies and procedures that provide opportunity for all students to achieve personal and academic success.
4. Engaging with school personnel, students, parents, families, and the community in decisions related to the development and implementation of discipline policies and procedures.
5. Ensuring fairness and equity in the administration of discretionary and nondiscretionary discipline.
6. Administering discretionary discipline in ways that respond to the needs and strengths of students, support students in meeting behavioral expectations, and keep students in the classroom to the maximum extent possible.
7. Providing educational services that students need to complete their education without disruption.
8. Facilitating collaboration between school personnel, students, parents, and families to support successful reentry into the classroom following a suspension or expulsion.

 

Students’ Fundamental Rights

The district will observe students’ fundamental rights and will administer discipline in a manner that does not:

1. Unlawfully discriminate against a student on the basis of sex, race, creed, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability is prohibited.
2. Deprive a student of the student's constitutional right to freedom of speech and press, the constitutional right to peaceably assemble and to petition the government and its representatives for a redress of grievances, the constitutional right to the free exercise of religion and to have the student's school free from sectarian control or influence, subject to reasonable limitations upon the time, place, and manner of exercising the right.
3. Deprive a student of the student's constitutional right to be secure in the student's person, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures.
4. Unlawfully interfere in a student's pursuit of an education while in the custody of the school district; or
5. Deprive a student of the student's right to an equal educational opportunity, in whole or in part, by a school district without due process of law.

 

Development and Review

The district will develop and periodically review a discretionary and nondiscretionary discipline policy and procedure. During the development and review, the district must use disaggregated data collected under RCW 28A.300.042 to monitor the impact of the district’s discipline policy, procedure, and practices and update its policy and procedure to improve fairness and equity in the administration of discipline.

The policy and procedure will be developed in accordance with WAC 392-400-110.

 

Distribution of Policies and Procedures

The district will make the current version of this policy and procedure available to families and the community. The district will annually provide this policy and procedure to all district personnel, students, parents, and families, which may require language assistance for students and parents with limited-English proficiency under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The district will ensure district employees and contractors are knowledgeable of this student discipline policy and procedure.

 

Application

This policy and accompanying procedure will be construed in a manner consistent with Washington law as stated in WAC 392-400-020.

 

Cross References:

2121	Substance Abuse Program
2161	Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students
2162	Education of Students with Disabilities under Section 504
3122	Excused and Unexcused Absences
3210	Nondiscrimination
3244	Prohibition of Corporal Punishment
3520	Student Fees, Fines, or Charges
4210	Regulation of Dangerous Weapons on School Premises
4218	Language Access

 

Legal References:

42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq. Civil Rights Act of 1964

34 CFR Part 100.3 Regulations implementing Civil Rights Act of 1964

Chapter 392-400, WAC Student Discipline

WAC 392-190-048 Access to course offerings - Student discipline and corrective action

Chapter 28A.320, RCW Provisions applicable to all districts

Chapter 28A.600 RCW, Students

RCW 28A.400.110 Principal to assure appropriate student discipline, Building discipline standards, Classes to improve classroom management skills

RCW 28A.400.100 Principals and vice principals, Employment of , Qualifications, Duties

Chapter 28A.225, RCW Compulsory school attendance and admission

RCW 28A.150.240 Certificated teaching and administrative staff as accountable for classroom teaching, Scope, Responsibilities, Penalty

RCW 9.41.280 Possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities, Penalty, Exceptions

 

Management Resources:

2010 - June Issue

2014 - August Issue

2014 - December Issue

2016 - July Policy Issue

2018 - August 2018 - August Policy Issue

2019 - April Policy Alert

 

 

Adopted: February 22, 2010

Amended: August 26, 2013

Amended: February 9, 2015

Amended: June 10, 2019

Amended: December 9, 2024

Amended: October 13, 2025