As clearly defined in Board Policy 6.308 (Bus Conduct), the school bus is an extension of school activity; therefore, students must conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with the established standards for safety and classroom behavior.

Students are under the supervision and control of the bus driver while on his/her bus and all reasonable directions given by the driver will be followed. The principal of the student transported will be informed by the bus driver of any serious discipline problem and may be called upon to assist if necessary. A student may be denied the privilege of riding the bus if the principal determines that his/her behavior is such as to cause disruption on the bus, or if the student disobeys state or local rules and regulations pertaining to student transportation. The suspension of a student from the riding the school bus will follow the same general procedures as any other school suspension.

Any student wishing to ride a bus other than his/her designated bus or to get off at a non-standard location must present written parental permission AND the written approval from the student’s principal. The same rule also applies to any student who wishes to gets off at any point between the pick-up point and the school. The student’s bus driver shall be required to turn the signed note(s) over to the Transportation Director as soon as practicable after completion of the route.

Cameras or video cameras are used to monitor student behavior on school buses transporting students to and from school or extracurricular activities. Photographs and video footage shall be used only to promote the order, safety, and security of students, staff, and property.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) may submit requests to view photographs and video footage to the Director of Student Services, and a time shall be arranged for viewing. The Director of Student Services shall be present when parent(s)/guardian(s) are provided the opportunity to review photographs and video footage.

As noted in Board Policy BP 6.311 (Care of School Property), students must help maintain the school environment, preserve school property, and exercise care while using school facilities.

District employees will report all damage or loss of school property to the principal or designee immediately after such damage or loss is discovered. The principal or designee will make a full and complete investigation of any instance of damage or loss of school property. The investigation will be carried out in cooperation with law enforcement officials when appropriate.

School property is defined as buildings, buses, books, equipment, records, instructional materials, or any other item under the jurisdiction of the Sevier County Board of Education.

When the person causing the damage or loss is identified and the costs of repair or replacement have been determined, the superintendent or designee will take steps to recover these costs. If the responsible person is a minor, recovery will be sought from the minor's parent or guardian.

In addition, the system may withhold the grades, diploma, and/or transcript of the student responsible for vandalism or theft or otherwise incurring any debt to a school until the student or the student's parent/guardian has paid for the damages.

Board Policy 6.300 (Code of Conduct) indicates the rationale for and staff responsibility in maintaining student behavior which is conducive to learning. Further, the Code of Conduct seeks to establish a safe and orderly school environment in which the rights of all students are protected and the efforts of teachers to maintain order and teach students are supported. It establishes a clear and consistent hierarchy of offenses and potential punishments to enable the administration of the school and system to deal promptly and fully with students who violate school and system rules and regulations while providing options to minimize the impact of such punishments on academic progress. The hierarchy of punishment ranges from the less severe to the more severe, ultimately reaching the point where expulsion is recommended. The guiding principle of this and any other good system of school and classroom management is that its purpose is not to punish, but to teach and encourage students to accept responsibility for their actions and decisions, and to regard the rights of others with as much reverence as their own. Since a range of potential punishments and behavioral interventions are listed for all offense types, administrative response can be adjusted based on student age and mitigating circumstances.

The following are zero-tolerance offenses that will result in a calendar year expulsion:

1. Bringing to school or being in unauthorized possession of a firearm on school property;

2. Unlawful possession of any drug, including any controlled substance, controlled substance analogue, or legend drug on school grounds or at a school-sponsored event;

3. Aggravated assault;

4. Assault that results in bodily injury upon any teacher, principal, administrator, any other employee of the school, or school resource officer; or

5. Valid threats of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity as determined by a threat assessment team.

The Superintendent of Schools, pursuant to Tennessee law, has the final authority to modify the punishment for these offenses on a case-by-case basis.