2.4 Adult Student Behavior Code

The technology center serves adult and secondary students. A discipline code is provided for secondary students to inform students of the standards of conduct required of students, and of the consequences that attach to misconduct. School laws that prescribe procedures applicable to secondary students are, in some instances, not applicable to adult students. Accordingly, the technology center has established a separate policy applicable to adult students that explains the standards of conduct and civility expected of adult students and also explains the actions that may be taken when adult conduct violates those standards. Adults are held to standards of conduct that are no less than those which attach to secondary students attending the technology center. Educational opportunities available to adult students may be cut-short or terminated in instances where an adult student’s conduct violates the approved standards or when a student, for other reasons, cannot fulfill program requirements essential to successful course completion.

In instances involving a student’s dismissal or removal from a course or program, the technology center will utilize procedures that are fair and reasonable. The complete cooperation of students is encouraged to assure that all students have an opportunity to benefit from the educational opportunities available. Conduct which violates policies, rules, and practices or which interferes with or disrupts learning must and will be addressed by school administration. This policy explains the technology center’s standards of conduct and describes the procedure that will be used when it is necessary to remove a student from a course or program. Removal may involve a short or long period or may involve a permanent removal.

Reference to "administrator” means an assistant superintendent or the technology center staff member to whom the administration has delegated the responsibility for student discipline. Reference to the “superintendent” refers to the superintendent of schools or the superintendent’s designee. Removal or dismissal refers to taking a student out of a course or program for a short period, a longer period, or permanently.

1. Immediate Removal of a Student 
   Whenever an alleged violation of the Adult Student Behavior Code is reported to an administrator, he or she will ascertain whether the immediate removal of the student is required. This determination will be based on whether the student’s continued presence on campus would create, in the administrator’s judgment, a dangerous and/or disruptive situation with regard to the continued operation and management of the school system. If dismissal is found necessary, the administrator shall document the justification in a report and immediately forward it to the superintendent and contact the student.
2. Evidentiary Hearing

   Upon notice of an alleged violation, the administrator will review the evidence relevant to the violation. If dismissal of the student is necessary before a hearing can be conducted, the hearing must be held as soon as possible, but not later than 72 hours of the dismissal. In case of waiver or non-attendance of the hearing by the student, summary disposition of the matter will be indicated in letter form and forwarded to the student with a copy to the superintendent.

   If the student is unable to attend the original time and day specified by the administrator for the evidentiary hearing, the matter may be continued only once, and in such case, will be reset to be conducted within the next 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. Any further request for continuance will result in immediate disposition of the matter with notification in writing sent to the student.

3. Decision
   Once the evidentiary hearing has been held, the administrator will summarize the findings in a written report, which will include the decision as to the student’s innocence or guilt and recommended discipline, if applicable. This decision will be announced orally at the conclusion of the hearing with a written report to follow, or within three business days of the conclusion of the hearing, by issuance of the written report. The imposition of discipline will commence following announcement of the decision or issuance of the written report, whichever occurs first.

   Should the punishment be one of short or long-term removal or dismissal, the administrator will notify the superintendent of the action.

4. Appeal
   If all or any portion of the administrator’s decision is not agreed to, the student has the right to appeal the decision to the superintendent.  An appeal is commenced by letter to the superintendent delivered within 72 hours of the decision rendered by the administrator.  The administrator, upon receipt of notice of the appeal, will forward the report of the hearing to the superintendent for decision.  The superintendent shall have the authority to sustain, overrule, or modify the division administrator’s decision.  At the hearing, the division administrator shall first present his/her evidence and be subject to cross-examination by the superintendent.  This will be followed by the student’s evidence.  The decision of the superintendent shall be final.  Such decision shall be communicated orally after the hearing or in writing to all parties, within three (3) business days following the decision.  An oral decision, when rendered immediately following the hearing, shall be followed by issuance of the superintendent’s written decision, which shall be placed in the mail within three (3) business days of announcing the decision.

   The student shall be permitted to remain in school and shall continue to participate in regular classroom instruction pending the hearing if he/she properly and timely files an appeal request unless the suspension is for three (3) days or less.  A student is expected to make progress toward satisfactory completion of his/her Course of Study to be eligible for continued enrollment and be up to date with payments of tuition and fees. The student may change to another Course of Study with the permission of the Executive Director of Instructional Development and the instructor in the course into which the student is changing.

   A student who fails to attend class regularly or otherwise demonstrates a lack of appropriate concern for satisfactory progress and conduct will be terminated from school.  The appeal process does not apply to academic terminations.  Any student may apply for reinstatement at the beginning of a new semester.  Re-entrance after reasonable assurance of improved student attendance and effort will be on a space available basis and will require administrative approval.  Re-entrance after two (2) dismissals for excessive absences will be considered on an individual basis.

5. Modification of Corrective Action 

   The imposition of corrective action is subject to modification upon the recommendation of the administrator at any time prior to the hearing before the superintendent. The discipline imposed by the administrator is based on one or more of the following guidelines: 
   
   A. Seriousness of the offense.
   B Student’s disciplinary record during the course of the school year or in prior years.
   C. Any final action by civil authorities. (However, action by authorities, in criminal or civil matters, is not a condition precedent to disciplinary action by the school.)
   D. Cooperation and assistance of student during the disciplinary proceedings.
   E. Other circumstances as the administrator may deem relevant.

6. Re-Admission

   A dismissed student is eligible to be readmitted upon proper application for re-admission. However, the administration may consider the student’s prior disciplinary and incident record in determining whether to grant a student’s request for re-report admission.

   A. Re-admission Process
   i. When a student fills out an application, which indicates that the student has been dismissed or has withdrawn from a program, the student will complete and return the Re-Admission form to the Admissions Secretary.
   ii. The form is then sent to the program director or teacher to be filled out.
   iii. The teacher will return completed form to the Instructional Leader of the receiving program.
   iv. The instructional leader of the receiving program may meet with applicant to discuss the Re-Admission form.
   v. The Instructional Leader of the receiving program will approve or deny the re-admission application if the dismissal or withdrawal is due to financial, academic, clinical failure, or due to disciplinary action.
   vi. A letter from the instructional leader of the receiving program or designee will be sent to applicant informing him/her as to status of re-application.

Copies of any procedural regulations and the Adult Student Behavior Code shall be distributed to all adult students annually, and students are responsible for compliance with the school’s behavior and conduct standards. Questions as to the interpretation of any part of the policy should be presented to the appropriate administrator.

Administrative actions provided in this policy may be taken by the administrator designated by this policy or the superintendent. An administrator, whether a division administrator, superintendent, or other administrator in charge, may appoint a designee to act in his/her place. With the exception of the superintendent, designees must be approved by the superintendent.

The following behaviors at the technology center, while in technology center vehicles or going to or from or attending technology center events will result in disciplinary action, including the possibility of dismissal:

1. Arson
2. Altering or attempting to alter another individual’s food or beverage
3. Assault (whether physical or verbal) and/or battery
4. Attempting to incite or produce imminent violence directed against another person because of his or her race, color, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender expression or identity, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, age, or genetic information by making or transmitting or causing or allowing to be transmitted, any telephonic, computerized, or electronic message
5. Attempting to incite or produce imminent violence directed against another person because of his or her race, color, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender expression or identity, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, age, or genetic information by broadcasting, publishing, or distributing or causing or allowing to be broadcast, published, or distributed, any message or material
6. Cheating
7. Conduct that threatens or jeopardizes the safety of others
8. Cutting class or sleeping, eating, or refusing to work in class
9. Disruption of the educational process or operation of the school
10. Extortion
11. Failure to attend assigned detention, alternative school, or other disciplinary assignment without approval
12. Failure to comply with state immunization records
13. False reports or false calls
14. Fighting
15. Forgery, fraud, or embezzlement
16. Gambling
17. Gang related activity or action
18. Harassment, intimidation, and bullying, including gestures, written or verbal expression, electronic communication, or physical acts
19. Hazing (whether involving initiations or not) in connection with any school activity, regardless of location
20. Immorality
21. Inappropriate attire, including violation of dress code as follows: 
    (a) No bare feet, or house shoes
    (b) Tank tops, tube tops, halters, low cut tops or strapless dresses without a covering shirt, blouse, or jacket, are inappropriate.
    (c) Shorts, skirts (including slits), and dresses should be no shorter than the bottom of the longest fingertips when the student is standing with arms extended. Wind shorts and cutoffs are not allowed.
    (d) Jeans with holes above the knee shall not be worn without the holes being patched.
    (e) Non-prescription sunglasses are not to be worn inside the building.
    (f) Leggings will only be allowed under a skirt/dress that meets the appropriate length requirement.
    (g) Any garment with decorations, patches, lettering, advertisements, etc. that may be considered obscene, offensive, or lewd, is not to be worn to school. This includes any garment or accessory with any drug emblem, tobacco product, gang-oriented materials, or any type of alcoholic beverage advertisement on the garment.
    (h) Transparent and/or see-through material will be considered inappropriate. Shirts and blouses must cover the entire torso at all times, even in movement. Shirts should cover the entire crown of the shoulder. Pants are to be worn at the waist (includes sagging pants). Any manner of dress, body piercings or hairstyle that detracts from the educational process will not be allowed.
    (i) Exceptions may be granted for religious or medical reason.
    (j) Because of safety requirements or other constraints, some classes may have dress requirements in addition to the afore mentioned codes.
22. Inappropriate behavior or gestures
23. Indecent exposure
24. Intimidation or harassment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender expression or identity, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, age, or genetic information, including but not limited to: (a) assault and battery; (b) damage, destruction, vandalism or defacing any real or personal property; or threatening, by word or act, the acts identified in (a) or (b)
25. Obscene language
26. Physical or verbal abuse
27. Plagiarism
28. Possession or distribution of a caustic substance (unrelated to course work)
29. Possessing, distributing, or viewing obscene materials, including electronic possession, distribution or viewing (sexting)
30. Possession of synthetic urine, a warmer or any other item with the intent to use that item to tamper with a drug or alcohol test
31. Possession, without prior authorization, of a wireless telecommunication device
32. Possession, threat or use of a dangerous weapon and related instrumentalities (i.e., bullets, shells, gun powder, pellets, etc.)
33. Possession, claimed possession, use, manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, conspiracy to sell, distribute or possess or being in the chain of sale or distribution, or being under the influence of (a) alcoholic beverages, low-point beer (as defined by Oklahoma law, i.e., 3.2 beer), (b) any mind altering substance, except for medications taken for legitimate medical purposes pursuant to district policy, including but not limited to prescription medications for which the individual does not have a prescription, or medications used outside their intended therapeutic purpose, (c) paint, glue, aerosol sprays, salts, incense and other substances which may be used as an intoxicating substance, or (d) any substance believed or represented to be a prohibited substance, regardless of its actual content.
34. Possession, claimed possession, or distribution of illegal and/or drug related paraphernalia
35. Possession, claimed possession, distribution, or claimed distribution of supplements, prescription medicine and/or non-prescription medicine while at school and school related functions without prior administrative approval
36. Profanity
37. Purchasing, selling and/or attempting to purchase or sell prescription and non-prescription medicine while at school and school related functions
38. Sexual or other harassment of individuals including, but not limited to, students, school employees, volunteers
39. Theft
40. Threatening behavior, including but not limited to gestures, written, verbal, or physical acts, or electronic communications
41. Truancy
42. Use, possession, claimed possession, distribution or selling marijuana or marijuana related products in any form. “Marijuana” is defined as provided for in the Technology Center’s policy on Medical Marijuana, Hemp & Cannabidiol (CBD).
43. Use, possession, claimed possession, distribution, or selling tobacco or tobacco related products in any form, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, loose tobacco, rolling papers, chewing tobacco, snuff, matches, and lighters, and vapor products which includes noncombustible products that may or may not contain nicotine, that employ a mechanical heating element, battery, electronic circuit or other mechanism, regardless of shape or size, that can be used to produce a vapor in a solution or other form. A vapor product also includes any vapor cartridge or other container with or without nicotine or other form that is intended to be used with an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe or similar product or device and any vapor cartridge or other container of a solution, that may or may not contain nicotine, that is intended to be used with or in an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo or electronic device. Vapor products not included are any products regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration under Chapter V of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
44. Use or possession of missing or stolen property if property is reasonably suspected to have been taken from a student, a technology center employee, or the technology center
45. Using racial, religious, ethnic, sexual, gender or disability-related epithets
46. Use of the school’s technology resources (i.e., computers, electronic mail, internet, and similar resources) in a manner prohibited by policies, in any manner not authorized by school officials, or in violation of law
47. Vandalism
48. Violation of board of education policies, rules or regulations or violation of school rules and regulations including, but not limited to, disrespect, lingering in restrooms, running in halls, bringing unauthorized items to school, inappropriate or unauthorized use of cellular phones or other electronic media, name calling, destroying or defacing school property
49. Vulgarity
50. Willful damage to school property
51. Willful disobedience of a directive of any school official
52. Students shall comply with state law (Section 811) regarding eye protection devices worn appropriately in shops/labs/clinical sites.
53. Possession of any portable audio/video device is permissible, but use is limited to break and commons areas unless instructor permits otherwise. Misuse of these devices may result in their confiscation. A student may, however, possess a portable communication device for emergency circumstances upon the prior consent of both a parent or guardian and the Executive Director of Instructional Development or Administrator. The emergency circumstances are limited to medical necessity, such as grave illness of family members requiring immediate ability to contact student. Students may not use any personal wireless device to: 

1. Send or receive answers to test questions or otherwise engaged in cheating;
2. Record conversations or events during the school day, on school property or at school activities;
3. Threaten, harass, intimidate or bully;
4. Take, possess, or distribute obscene or pornographic images or photos;
5. Engage in lewd communications;
6. Violate school policies, handbook provisions, or regulations.

All devices must be turned off during class time unless permitted by instructor and are subject to confiscation if they cause a disturbance during class time. No electronic messages are to be returned except during the student’s break time. Audio recording devices may be used to record lectures upon the approval of the instructor. Use of photographic equipment shall require advance written administrative approval. Any device confiscated will be turned over to the Executive Director of Instructional Development for disposition.

In addition, conduct occurring outside of the normal school day or off technology center property that has a direct and immediate negative effect on the discipline or educational process or effectiveness of the school, will also result in disciplinary action, which may include in-school placement options or out-of-school suspension. This includes but is not limited to electronic communication, whether or not such communication originated at school or with technology center equipment, if the communication is specifically directed at students or technology center personnel and concerns harassment, intimidation or bullying at school.

The Oklahoma Legislature established the School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act with the express intent of prohibiting bullying in all schools. In addition to the prohibition listed in the student discipline code, above, the board has adopted a separate policy prohibiting bullying and outlining the district’s plan to address it.

The technology center’s course offerings include those that incorporate requirements essential to successful completion of the course. An example is the clinical hours a part of and necessary to completion of many health care courses. When a student cannot complete essential course requirements the student may be dismissed from a program for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to conduct, behavior, or other inability to meet mandatory parts of the program. Students dismissed for reasons falling within this part of the policy, will have the same rights with regard to removal as adult students who violate the technology center’s disciplinary code.

In some instances, adult students are participating in programs offered by the technology center as a result of their eligibility established by terms of a federal or state program. In these instances, the programs establish eligibility requirements as well as minimum standards which students must meet in order to remain a part of the program and recipient of program benefits. Student participation and dismissal of the student may be governed by the program criteria. Students have no property interest in these programs and, as a result, those who violate expectations related to attendance, participation, and otherwise fail to meet the obligations which accompany participation, may be removed from the program with notice to the student and the program director. Whether to allow the student to return to the program and, if so, under what conditions, will be a joint decision of the designated school representatives and the designees for the federal or state program. The student’s dismissal or removal shall include written notice to the program or project director of the student’s dismissal and the reasons for dismissal.