STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE IX AND
SECTION 504
A. DEFINITION - a grievance shall be defined as any dispute or complaint involving
questions or violations of Civil Rights Guidelines: Title IX (non-discrimination on the
basis of sex) and Section 504 (non-discrimination on the basis of handicap).
B. AGGRIEVED PERSON - shall mean any individual or individuals making a
grievance.
C. DAYS - the term days, used in this procedure, shall mean working school days,
according to the calendar of the Berks Career and Technology Center.
D. PROCEDURE
Step 1 - The aggrieved person shall, within 10 days of the occurrence, present the
grievance in writing to the supervisor or the Title IX or Section 504 coordinator listed
below. The coordinator shall conduct a review and issue a decision, in writing, within
10 days of the review.
Step 2 - If not satisfied with the decision of the coordinator, the aggrieved person
may appeal the decision, in writing, to the superintendent of the Berks Career and
Technology Center or his designee within 5 days of the original decision. The
superintendent shall conduct a review and issue a decision, in writing, within 5
working days of the review.
Step 3 - If not satisfied with the decision of the superintendent, the aggrieved
person may appeal, in writing, the decision of the superintendent to the Berks
Career and Technology Center Joint Operating Committee at its next monthly
meeting. The Committee meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
TITLE IX COORDINATOR AND SECTION 504 COORDINATOR:
Office of the Director
Berks Career and Technology Center
1057 County Road
Leesport, PA 19533
NOTE: This Grievance Procedure will apply to Tech Prep students until acceptance to
post-secondary education.
CODE OF CONDUCT
POSITION STATEMENT
Section 1317 of the Pennsylvania School Code provides as follows: S13-1317 - Authority of
teachers, vice principals, and principals over students. "Every teacher, vice principal, and principal in
the public schools shall have the right to exercise the same authority as to the conduct and behavior
over the pupils attending his/her school, during the time they are in attendance; including the time
required in going to and from their homes, as the parents, guardians or persons in parental relation to
such pupils may exercise over them."
In keeping with Section 1317, the Berks Career and Technology Center believes that one of
its goals is the preparation of its students to be lawful and responsible citizens. Therefore, the
behavioral code is implemented to be consistent with the components of the student's rights and
responsibilities, and is committed to assuring equal opportunity and treatment to all students,
regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex or ethnic background.
The disciplinary actions, which may be taken in response to a breach of the behavioral code,
are meant to be constructive in nature and not to be solely punitive. All disciplinary actions are
predicated upon a cooperative and courteous student behavior during any discipline procedure. Any
misconduct, abusive behavior or uncooperative attitude during the discipline proceedings may
advance the disciplinary action response step. Behavioral code violations, which involve multiple
offenses, will be handled either according to the more severe offense category or advance the steps
within the category of the violations.
The disciplinary action responses vary according to the severity of common occurrences
within the four categories of infractions. Those infraction categories, the actions to be taken, and
descriptions of common disciplinary offenses are contained on the following pages. There will be
communication with the sending school's administrative staff throughout these disciplinary
proceedings.
Suspensions will include suspension from instructional activities at both the sending school
and career and technology classes and will be compatible with the sending school's disciplinary
procedures wherever possible.
In any situation, where the violator has reached the final disciplinary step, and all reasonable
corrective measures have been taken, the administration of the Career and Technology Center will
seek the student's withdrawal from the school by sending school's administration.
Excerpts from the Pennsylvania School Code - Chapter 12
Regulations and Guidelines on Student Rights and Responsibilities are supplied with this
behavioral code, so students, attending the Berks Career and Technology Center, are aware of both
their rights and responsibilities and can exercise both properly
FREE EDUCATION AND ATTENDANCE
A. All persons residing in the Commonwealth between the ages of six and twenty-one
years are entitled to a free and full education in the Commonwealth's public schools.
This right extends to migratory children and pregnant or married students. Mentally
retarded children are also entitled to a public sponsored program of education and
training appropriate to their learning capabilities.
B. Parents or guardians of all children between the ages of eight and seventeen are
required by the compulsory attendance law to ensure that their children attend an
approved educational institution, unless legally excused.
C. Students may not be asked to leave school merely because they have reached
seventeen years of age, if they are fulfilling their responsibilities as students, as
defined hereafter. A student may not be excluded from the public school nor from
extra-curricular activities because of being married or pregnant.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Student responsibilities include regular school attendance, conscientious effort in
classroom work, and conformance to school rules and regulations. Most of all,
students share with the administration and faculty a responsibility to develop a climate
within the school, that is conducive to wholesome learning and living.
B. No student has the right to interfere with the education of his fellow students. It is
the responsibility of each student to respect the rights of teachers, students,
administrators and all others, who are involved in the educational process.
C. Students should express their ideas and opinions in a respectful manner so as not to
offend or slander others.
D. It is the responsibility of the students to:
1. Be aware of all rules and regulations for student behavior and conduct themselves
in accordance with them.
2. Be willing to volunteer information in matters relating to the health, safety and
welfare of the school community and the protection of school property.
3. Dress and groom themselves to meet fair standards of safety and health, and to
not cause substantial disruption to the education process.
4. Assume that until a rule is waived, altered or repealed, it is in full effect.
5. Assist the school staff in operating a safe school for all students enrolled therein.
6. Be aware of and comply with state and local laws.
7. Attend school daily, except when excused, and be on time at all classes and other
school functions.
8. Make all necessary arrangements for making up work when absent from school.
9. Pursue and attempt to complete satisfactorily the courses of study prescribed by
state and local school authorities.
10. Avoid inaccuracies in student newspapers and publications and indecent or
obscene language.
RESPONSIBILITY OF OTHERS FOR DISCIPLINE
Joint Operating Committee Members: The J.O.C. members are obligated to support all
personnel and the school district, who enforce the policies of discipline.
Director: The director shall exercise leadership in establishing all procedures, rules and regulations
to make effective the policies of the board of education relating to standards of teacher and pupil
behavior.
Building Administrators: The building administrators must make sure that all faculty members
and students are aware of all policies relating to discipline by making them aware of any changes
or updates in the policy. Furthermore, it is the administrators' responsibility to see that the discipline
policy is properly enforced by the faculty.
Faculty and Staff: It is the teachers' responsibility to enforce the discipline policy both in and out of
the classroom. Control of the classroom lies primarily in the hands of the classroom teacher;
therefore, every effort should be made to handle situations without office referral.
Parents: The parents will be expected to cooperate fully with the school personnel in carrying out
the school Code of Conduct.
COMMON OFFENSES AND CATEGORY OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION TAKEN
INSUBORDINATION
Insubordination occurs when a student fails to observe a reasonable and legal
request/guideline/policy presented by the school or an authorized member of the school's staff.
Common insubordination infractions include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Leaving an instructional area, activity or school building/facility without proper
permission from the instructor or proper authority. Students should request the
instructor's consent if they desire to visit either the locker area or lavatory facilities in
their immediate classroom. If the lavatory is not located within the immediate
instructional area, a proper lavatory pass must be secured from the instructor before
proceeding to the lavatory. Also sign-in/out sheets must be used by the students leaving
their instructional area.
2. Failure to request and/or present a proper pass
inroute to or in a specific area of school
property.
3. Unauthorized absence from an instructional area or facility
4. Running in the hallways
5. Improper dress for a predetermined-determined instructional activity.
6. Kissing or other physical displays of affection other than holding hands.
7. Disregarding a reasonable/legal request of a staff member.
8. Disturbing/disrupting a classroom or school related activity.
9. The use of offensive/abusive/vulgar language or non-verbal communication toward
another student.
10. Failure to return an excuse blank within three school days after return from absence.
11. The use of offensive/abusive/vulgar language or non-verbal communication toward a
staff member. Staff members will include professional, clerical, cafeteria, custodial or
transportation personnel. (This offense is a Category ?C? violation and may result
in disorderly conduct charges being filed.)
DISCIPLINARY ACTION RESPONSES TO VIOLATIONS OF THE
INSUBORDINATION GUIDELINES, WHICH RESULT IN A STUDENT BEING
SENT TO A BUILDING ADMINISTRATOR, ARE CATEGORY "B" OFFENSES.
PLEASE REFER TO THE DISCIPLINARY ACTION CHART.
LATENESS
The Berks Career and Technology Center instructional program includes emphasizing those
qualities necessary for successful employment during and after the student's vocational preparation.
Among the most sought after qualities in an employee are dependability and promptness. We will do
everything possible to reinforce those attitudes.
Lateness is divided into two (2) separate and distinct categories. One category involves
situations wherein the student is late arriving at the Career and Technology Center from the sending
school, and the other category involves situations wherein the student is late for a class session, after
arriving at the Career and Technology Center. These two (2) categories of lateness will be handled as
follows:
TARDINESS
When arriving late, report to the main office and receive an admission pass, before reporting
to class. Frequent tardiness will result in disciplinary action.
If a student will be late arriving from the sending school, because the student missed the
authorized transportation from the sending school to the Career and Technology Center, the student
must follow these guidelines:
1. The student must report to the sending school office before proceeding to the Career
and Technology Center. This "lateness" will be handled according to the individual
sending school district's policies/practices governing "lateness."
2. If a means of transportation can be secured to get the tardy student to the Career and
Technology Center, the sending school will contact the Career and Technology Center
regarding the transportation arrangements and give to the student a written
authorization to do so. This written authorization must be presented to the designated
person assigned to handle lateness situations.
3. The student must report to the Career and Technology Center's office immediately upon
arrival. Please note: If a student fails to follow these steps as outlined, the student
will be subject to Category "B" disciplinary offense procedure.
LATENESS WITHIN CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER
1. Any student who is reported as "late" for a class session or activity, without a
reasonable and acceptable explanation, will be handled under the guidelines governing
Category "A" offenses.
2. If a student misses the bus to the sending school, the student will be assigned to In-
school suspension until the next bus returns to the sending school. If the next bus is not
until the next school day, the parent or guardian will be notified to pick up the student.
If the parent or guardian is unable to transport the student, the school will provide the
transportation and bill the student for the cost of the transportation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
The Berks Career and Technology Center is entrusted to provide a safe and
prudent
instructional environment for its students and staff. Any actions which
jeopardize the safety of its
students and/or staff will be considered most serious.
The Following Are Forbidden:
1. The throwing/projecting of any object, material or
substance which could cause
physical harm.
2. Behavior/actions which constitute an actual or
potentially hazardous situation to the
instigator or to those in the
immediate area.
3. Safety rules of various courses will be strictly
adhered to.
DISCIPLINARY
ACTION RESPONSES TO VIOLATIONS OF THE "SAFETY"
GUIDELINES ARE COVERED UNDER THE CATEGORY "C" OFFENSES.
MISUSE/ABUSE OF SCHOOL
FACILITIES/EQUIPMENT
The Berks Career and Technology Center will consider any deliberate attempt to
misuse,
destroy, alter, abuse or deface any of its facilities or equipment a breach of
the discipline guidelines.
The guilty party may be made to make restitution and legal actions may be taken
against the party by
school authorities. In addition, the administration may request withdrawal of
the party by the sending
school.
DISCIPLINARY
ACTION RESPONSES TO VIOLATIONS OF THIS AREA ARE
COVERED UNDER THE CATEGORY "C" OFFENSES.
PHYSICAL/SEXUAL/VERBAL ASSAULT
Physical, sexual or verbal assault by a student against another student or staff
member is
strictly forbidden.
1. In general, incidents which are considered
"horseplay" or "rough housing," where some
limited physical force or verbal
threats are involved, will be considered Category "B"
offenses.
2. Incidents which are clearly "fighting,"
involving at least two (2) combatants in mutual
physical force, will be considered
Category "C" offenses. Police may be called and
civil or criminal charges may be
filed.
3. Incidents, where one party is clearly physically
assaulted or attacked by another without
provocation, will be handled as
Category "D" violations. Police may be called and
civil or criminal charges may be
filed.
While no physical altercations or verbal harassment are condoned, there are
varying degrees of
severity associated with the extent of force used. Facts leading to the
incident and the depth of
involvement of the parties engaged in the situation will be investigated, and in
any situation, where the
instigator of the altercation can be clearly determined, that party will receive
a more severe
punishment than the other party. Also, the "category offenses step"
can be advanced accordingly, if
the facts of the incident warrant stronger measures.
FALSIFICATION/CHEATING/STEALING
Since the school is attempting to prepare its students for future placement in
their chosen field
of study, it's responsible for impressing upon its students the importance of
personal integrity.
Therefore, any situation, where the student is in violation of the trust placed
in the individual, will be
considered a serious infraction of the discipline guidelines:
1. Any attempt to falsify information regarding any
school related documents, class
assignments or examinations to
include cheating, forgery, unauthorized alteration or
plagiarism will be considered a
violation covered under Category "B" offenses.
2. The theft, or attempted theft, of any object,
material or substance, which is the property
of the school, its staff members,
students or guests, is considered a violation covered
under Category "C"
offenses.