District personnel shall enforce provisions of the student code of conduct so that students demonstrating unacceptable behavior and their parents, guardians or legal custodians understand that such behavior shall not be tolerated and shall be dealt with according to the code.
However, it is the belief of the Board that alternatives should be explored to help students who are at risk of expulsion before expulsion becomes a necessary step. Expulsion shall be regarded as a punishment of last resort, unless a student's behavior would cause imminent harm to others in the school, or when state law or the school's conduct and discipline codes require expulsion. The principal of each school shall work with the professional staff to identify students who are at risk of suspension or expulsion. Among those students who may be at risk are those who have been or are likely to be declared habitually truant or habitually disruptive.
The district shall provide students who are identified as at risk of suspension or expulsion with the necessary support services to help them avoid expulsion. Such services may include:
- Educational services (tutoring, alternative educational programs or vocational programs that provide instruction in the academic areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies);
- Counseling services;
- Drug or alcohol addiction treatment programs; and
- Family prevention services.