In 2007, The Lexington County School District Thee Board of Trustees adopted Policy GBED which prohibits tobaccouse at all times in all buildings and grounds under its jurisdiction. This prohibition is applicable to all employees, students, visitors, and those people providing services for which the district contracts.

 

Employees who violate this policy will receive a written reprimand on the first offense, a one-day suspension with loss of pay on the second offense, a five-day suspension with loss of pay on the third offense, and be dismissed for insubordination on the fourth offense. Substitute employees will receive a written reprimand on the first offense and will not be allowed to substitute again in the school district if a second offense occurs. Visitors will receive a warning on the first offense. If a visitor refuses to comply after being warned he or she will be required to leave the property and forfeit any fee charged for admission. Failure to leave school district buildings and grounds may result in prosecution for disorderly conduct. Board Policy JICG establishes the basic structure for the board’s prohibition of the use or possession of tobacco by students.

 

The board directs the administration to ensure that signs designating all district property as tobacco free environments are conspicuously displayed. The principal in each school is responsible for the proper display of these signs.

 

Beginning in August 2007, the Lexington County School District Three Board of Trustees approved Policy JICJ allowing students to have cell phones, telecommunication and paging devices at school, if they are turned off and are out of sight during school hours and are not used while riding on school buses to and from school. On field trips and school sponsored activities away from school, a student may use their cell phone, telecommunication or paging device only during times designated by the administrator, teacher or parent in charge of the activity.

 

Any student who wishes to carry a cell phone, telecommunication, or paging device must register the device with the school according to the school’s designated procedures within the first ten (10) days of entering school each academic year. Students are not allowed to possess or use a cell phone, telecommunication, or paging device other than the one registered. Students are also not allowed to possess or use temporary or disposable phones, telecommunication or paging devices. Students will not be allowed to use an ear piece connected via a wired or wireless connection to a cell phone, telecommunication or paging devise during school hours or on a school bus. Any violation of this section of the policy will result in confiscation of the device and/or ear piece. Should a student violate these requirements for the remainder of the academic school year, the student will not be allowed to have or use a cell phone, a telecommunication or paging device on school grounds or while traveling on a school bus. Any violation of this directive will result in further disciplinary action.

 

During the school day or on a school bus, if a cell phone, telecommunication device, or a paging device is visible, emits an audible signal, displays a message or otherwise summons or delivers communication, all owners of the telecommunication units that are on will be subject to the following disciplinary action.

 

 

Use of a cell phone, telecommunication or paging device to cheat on a test or assignment will result in the device being confiscated and returned to the parent or guardian during the last week of the academic school year. The student will be subject to the school’s cheating policy as stated in the student handbook. For the remainder of the school year, the student will not be allowed to have or use a cell phone, a telecommunication or paging device on school grounds or on a school bus. Any violation of this directive will result in further disciplinary action.

 

Any use of a cell phone, telecommunication or paging device to bully, cause a major school disruption, invade person privacy, or to publicize or glorify inappropriate activities at school will cause the device to be confiscated and returned during the last week of school. Depending on the nature and severity of the offense, the student will receive either long term suspension or be expelled from school.

 

During a school emergency drill, an actual school emergency or school lockdown, students are discouraged from communicating information to other persons unless cleared by the school administration. It is highly likely that a student may have only partial knowledge or incorrect information that may be inaccurate. If circulated, inaccurate information can make a situation much worse or endanger others. For this reason, during a school emergency or lockdown, the school or district administration will communicate to students and parents directly or through the emergency phone system as soon as humanly possible. In the event, however, that a student is personally in danger or knows of others who may be in danger, the student is encouraged to use his/her cell phone, telecommunication or paging device to contact the school administration immediately for assistance.

 

Students will receive cell phone, telecommunication and paging device registration forms at the beginning of the school year. These forms must be completed and returned to the school within the prescribed period of time in order for students to have a cell phone, telecommunication or paging devices at school. 

 

Parent, guardians and/or students are encouraged to review this policy carefully. Questions should be directed to the child’s principal or assistant principal.