903.4 - Public Conduct on School Premises

PUBLIC CONDUCT ON SCHOOL PREMISES

Code No. 903.4

The board expects that students, employees, and visitors will treat each other with respect, engage in responsible behavior, exercise self-discipline and model fairness, equity and respect.  Individuals violating this policy will be subject to discipline.  Students will be disciplined consistent with the student conduct policies.  Employees will be disciplined consistent with employee discipline policies and laws.  Others will be subject to discipline according to this policy.

School sponsored or approved activities are an important part of the school program and offer students the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities not offered during the regular school day.  School sponsored or approved activities are provided for the enjoyment and opportunity for involvement they afford the students.

Spectators are permitted to attend school sponsored or approved activities only as guests of the school district, and, accordingly as a condition of such permission, they must comply with the school district's rules and policies.  Spectators will not be allowed to interfere with the enjoyment of the students participating, other spectators or with the performance of employees and officials supervising the school sponsored or approved activity.  Spectators, like the student participants, are expected to display mature behavior and sportsmanship.  The failure of spectators to do so is not only disruptive but embarrassing to the students, the school district and the entire community.

To protect the rights of students to participate without fear of interference, and to permit the sponsors and officials of sponsored or approved activities to perform their duties without interference, the following provisions are in effect:

• Abusive, verbal or physical conduct of spectators directed at participants,      officials or sponsors of sponsored or approved activities or at other spectators will not be tolerated.
• Verbal or physical conduct of spectators that interferes with the performance of students, officials or sponsors of sponsored or approved activities will not be tolerated.
• The use of vulgar, obscene or demeaning expression directed at students, officials or sponsors participating in an sponsored or approved activity or at other spectators will not be tolerated.

If a spectator at an sponsored or approved activity becomes physically or verbally abusive, uses vulgar, obscene or demeaning expression, or in any way impedes the performance of an activity, the spectator may be removed from the event by the individual in charge of the event and the superintendent may recommend the exclusion of the spectator at future sponsored or approved activities. 

Upon recommendation of the superintendent, the board will cause a notice of exclusion from sponsored or approved activities to be sent to the spectator involved.  The notice will advise the spectator of the school district's right to exclude the individual from school district activities and events and the duration of the exclusion.  If the spectator disobeys the school official or district's order, law enforcement authorities may be contacted and asked to remove the spectator.  If a spectator has been notified of exclusion and thereafter attends a sponsored or approved activity, the spectator will be advised that his/her attendance will result in prosecution.  The school district may obtain a court order for permanent exclusion from future school sponsored or approved activities.

Legal Reference:        Iowa Code §§ 279.8, .66, 716.7

Cross Reference:        205      Board Member Liability

                                    802.6   Vandalism

                                    905.2   Nicotine/Tobacco-Free Environment

Adopted:         09/14/1987

Revised:          07/23/2012

Reviewed:       06/26/2023