CHAPTER 13-32
SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS AND CONDUCT OF SCHOOL
13-32-1 Disciplinary authority over students on school premises.
13-32-2 Physical force authorized when reasonable and necessary--Attendance at school functions away from premises--Authority of bus drivers.
13-32-3 Reference for psychiatric treatment prohibited without parents' consent.
13-32-4 School board to assist in discipline--Suspension and expulsion of pupils--Report to local authorities--Hearings--Alternative settings.
13-32-4.1 Attendance policy--Adoption by school board--Suspension and expulsion power unaffected.
13-32-4.2 Procedure for suspension--Appeal--Hearing.
13-32-4.3 Effect of student's suspension or expulsion on enrollment.
13-32-4.4 Early reinstatement of expelled student.
13-32-4.5 Conditions for early reinstatement.
13-32-4.6 Return to school upon fulfillment of conditions--Revocation of early reinstatement.
13-32-4.7 Due process procedures--Promulgation of early reinstatement rules.
13-32-5 Injury to school property as ground for suspension or expulsion.
13-32-6 Disturbance of school as misdemeanor.
13-32-7 Possession of firearm or dangerous weapon--Public elementary or secondary school premises or vehicle--Violation--Exceptions.
13-32-8 School safety patrols--Insurance coverage.
13-32-9 Suspension from extracurricular activities for controlled substances violation--Unified Judicial System to give certain notices.
13-32-9.1 Consequences imposed by local school districts.
13-32-9.2 Reduced suspensions--Minimum requirements--Commencement of suspension.
13-32-10 Definition of terms regarding self-administration of medication.
13-32-11 Student self-administration of prescription asthma and anaphylaxis medication.
13-32-12 Disciplinary action regarding self-administration of medication.
13-32-13 Applicability of provisions regarding self-administration of medication.
13-32-14 Adoption of bullying policy.
13-32-15 Bullying defined.
13-32-16 Bullying policy requirements.
13-32-17 Action for damages from bullying--Immunity for reporting.
13-32-18 Incidents involving electronic devices.
13-32-19 Model bullying policy.
13-32-20 Policy for school district employees on use of restraint and seclusion.
13-32-1. Disciplinary authority over students on school premises.
Superintendents, principals, supervisors, and teachers have disciplinary authority over all students while the students are in school or participating in or attending school sponsored activities whether on or off school premises. Superintendents and principals may also discipline students for aggressive or violent behavior that disrupts school or that affects a health or safety factor of the school or its programs.
Source: SL 1955, ch 41, ch 12, § 20; SL 1959, ch 79; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3020; SL 1996, ch 121.
13-32-2. Physical force authorized when reasonable and necessary--Attendance at school functions away from premises--Authority of bus drivers.
Superintendents, principals, supervisors, and teachers and their aids and assistants, have the authority, to use the physical force that is reasonable and necessary for supervisory control over students. Like authority over students is given any person delegated to supervise children who have been authorized to attend a school function away from their school premises and to school bus drivers while students are riding, boarding, or leaving the buses.
Source: SL 1955, ch 41, ch 12, § 20; SL 1959, ch 79; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3020; SL 1990, ch 128, § 1.
13-32-3. Reference for psychiatric treatment prohibited without parents' consent.
No public school administrator or teacher shall refer a student for psychiatric treatment within or outside the school without the prior written consent of such student's parent or guardian.
Source: SL 1961, ch 91.
13-32-4. School board to assist in discipline--Suspension and expulsion of pupils--Report to local authorities--Hearings--Alternative settings.
The school board of every school district shall assist and cooperate with the administration and teachers in the government and discipline of the schools. The board may suspend or expel from school any student for violation of rules or policies or for insubordination or misconduct, and the superintendent or principal in charge of the school may temporarily suspend any student in accordance with § 13-32-4.2. The rules or policies may include prohibiting the following:
(1) The consumption or possession of beer or alcoholic beverages on the school premises or at school activities;
(2) The use or possession of a controlled substance, without a valid prescription, on the school premises or at school activities; and
(3) The use or possession of a firearm, as provided in § 13-32-7, on or in any elementary or secondary school premises, vehicle, or building or any premises, vehicle, or building used or leased for elementary or secondary school functions or activities.
In addition to administrative and school board disciplinary action, any violation of § 13-32-7 shall be reported to local law enforcement authorities.
The period of expulsion may extend beyond the semester in which the violation, insubordination, or misconduct occurred. Any expulsion for consumption or possession of beer or alcoholic beverages may not extend beyond ninety school days. If a student has intentionally brought a firearm onto school premises, the expulsion may not be for less than twelve months.
However, the superintendent or chief administering officer of each local school district or system may increase or decrease the length of a firearm-related expulsion on a case-by-case basis. The South Dakota Board of Education Standards shall promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 1-26 to establish administrative due process procedures for the protection of a student's rights. The administrative due process procedures shall include a requirement that the school give notice of a student's due process rights to the parent or guardian of the student at the time of suspension or expulsion. Each school district board shall provide a procedural due process hearing, if requested, for a student in accordance with such rules if the suspension or expulsion of the student extends into the eleventh school day.
This section does not preclude other forms of discipline which may include suspension or expulsion from a class or activity.
This section does not prohibit a local school district from providing educational services to an expelled student in an alternative setting.
Source: SDC 1939, § 15.3008; SL 1955, ch 41, ch 12, § 18; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3018; SL 1973, ch 99; SL 1975, ch 128, § 209; SL 1981, ch 145, § 1; SL 1993, ch 141, § 1; SL 1995, ch 99; SL 1996, ch 122; SL 1999, ch 88, § 1; SL 2017, ch 81, § 57.
13-32-4.1. Attendance policy--Adoption by school board--Suspension and expulsion power unaffected.
The school board of every school district may adopt an attendance policy in accordance with procedural due process rules established by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards pursuant to § 13-32-4. Any attendance policy adopted pursuant to this section is not to be construed as limiting the powers of the school board of a school district to suspend or expel students pursuant to § 13-32-4.
Source: SL 1981, ch 145, § 2; SL 2017, ch 81, § 57.
13-32-4.2. Procedure for suspension--Appeal--Hearing.
The school board in any district may authorize the summary suspension of pupils by principals of schools for not more than ten school days and by the superintendent of schools for not more than ninety school days. In case of a suspension by the superintendent for more than ten school days, the pupil or his parents or others having his custodial care may appeal the decision of the superintendent to the board of education. Any suspension by a principal shall be immediately reported to the superintendent who may revoke the suspension at any time. In event of an appeal to the board, the superintendent shall promptly transmit to the board a full report in writing of the facts relating to the suspension, the action taken by him and the reasons for such action; and the board, upon request, shall grant a hearing to the appealing party. No pupil may be suspended unless:
(1) The pupil is given oral or written notice of the charges against him;
(2) The pupil is given an oral or written explanation of the facts that form the basis of the proposed suspension; and
(3) The pupil is given an opportunity to present his version of the incident.
In the event of a suspension for more than ten school days, if the pupil gives notice that he wishes to appeal the suspension to the board, the suspension shall be stayed until the board renders its decision, unless in the judgment of the superintendent of schools, the pupil's presence poses a continuing danger to persons or property or an ongoing threat of disrupting the academic process, in which case the pupil may be immediately removed from school, and the notice and hearing shall follow as soon as practicable.
Source: SL 1993, ch 141, § 2.
13-32-4.3. Effect of student's suspension or expulsion on enrollment.
If any student is under suspension or expulsion in a school district, the student may not enroll in any school district until the suspension or expulsion has expired. The superintendent or school administrator of any school district may prohibit a student from enrolling in that school district if the student is under suspension or expulsion in a school in another state or in a nonpublic school in this state. Upon receiving a request for a student's permanent school records from the receiving district, the sending school shall provide the receiving district with written notice of any suspension or expulsion.
Source: SL 1996, ch 120, § 2; SL 2000, ch 50, § 4.
13-32-4.4. Early reinstatement of expelled student.
If a student is expelled from school as provided in § 13-32-4, the school board may grant the student an early reinstatement allowing the student to return to school before the end of the period of expulsion.
Source: SL 2010, ch 89, § 1.
13-32-4.5. Conditions for early reinstatement.
Any early reinstatement granted by a school board pursuant to § 13-32-4.4 may include one or more specific conditions established by the school board that the expelled student must meet, either prior to the granting of the early reinstatement or after the early reinstatement is granted and before the end of the period of expulsion. Any early reinstatement conditions established by the school board for an expelled student shall pertain to the reasons why the student was expelled, and the board shall provide notice of any early reinstatement conditions to the student's parent or guardian or to the student, if the student is at least eighteen years of age or is an emancipated minor, at the time the student is expelled.
Source: SL 2010, ch 89, § 2.
13-32-4.6. Return to school upon fulfillment of conditions--Revocation of early reinstatement.
If the superintendent of a school district determines that an expelled student has met the early reinstatement conditions established pursuant to § 13-32-4.5 that the student is required to meet before the student may be granted early reinstatement, the superintendent may grant the student early reinstatement and allow the student to return to school.
If a student violates an early reinstatement condition that the student was required to meet after the student's early reinstatement, but before the end of the expulsion period, the superintendent of the school district may revoke the student's early reinstatement. Within five days after revoking an early reinstatement, the superintendent shall provide written notice of the revocation including any early reinstatement condition that was violated by the student to the student's parent or guardian or to the student, if the student is at least eighteen years of age or an emancipated minor.
If a student's early reinstatement is revoked, the student's expulsion shall continue until the end of the original period of expulsion unless the student's expulsion is firearm-related and the original period of expulsion is modified by the superintendent pursuant to § 13-32-4.
Source: SL 2010, ch 89, § 3.
13-32-4.7. Due process procedures--Promulgation of early reinstatement rules.
The administrative due process procedures established in ARSD 24:07:04 for the protection of students' rights in an expulsion procedure apply to the early reinstatement process established in §§ 13-32-4.4 to 13-32-4.6, inclusive, and the South Dakota Board of Education Standards may promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 1-26 to establish additional procedures for the early reinstatement process, including the development of early reinstatement conditions by school boards.
Source: SL 2010, ch 89, § 4; SL 2017, ch 81, § 57.
13-32-5. Injury to school property as ground for suspension or expulsion.
Any student, who cuts, defaces, or otherwise injures any schoolhouse, equipment, or outbuilding thereof, is liable to suspension or expulsion.
Source: SDC 1939, § 15.3009; SL 1955, ch 41, ch 12, § 19; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3019; SL 1975, ch 128, § 210.
13-32-6. Disturbance of school as misdemeanor.
A person, whether pupil or not, who intentionally disturbs a public or nonpublic school when in session or who intentionally interferes with or interrupts the proper order or management of a public or nonpublic school by acts of violence, boisterous conduct, or threatening language, so as to prevent the teacher or any pupil from performing his duty, is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Source: SDC 1939, § 15.9911; SL 1955, ch 41, ch 17, § 11; SL 1957, ch 74; SL 1975, ch 128, § 211; SL 1982, ch 86, § 144.
13-32-7. Possession of firearm or dangerous weapon--Public elementary or secondary school premises or vehicle--Violation--Exceptions.
Any person who intentionally carries, possesses, stores, keeps, leaves, places, or puts into the possession of another person, any dangerous weapon, firearm, or air gun, whether or not the firearm or air gun is designed, adapted, used, or intended to be used primarily for imitative or noisemaking purposes, on or in any public elementary or secondary school premises, vehicle, or building, or on or in any premises, vehicle, or building used or leased for public elementary or secondary school functions, whether or not any person is endangered by any action under this section, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
This section does not apply to:
(1) A law enforcement officer;
(2) An individual who has completed a school sentinel training course, in accordance with chapter 13-64;
(3) An individual who:
(a) Is twenty-one years of age or older;
(b) Holds an enhanced permit to carry a concealed pistol, issued in accordance with chapter 23-7; and
(c) Has written permission from the principal of the school or other person who has general control and supervision of the building or grounds;
(4) The use of a starting gun at an athletic event;
(5) Any firearm or air gun at a:
(a) Firing range;
(b) Gun show; or
(c) Supervised school or session for training in the use of firearms;
(6) The ceremonial presence of an unloaded weapon at a color guard ceremony;
(7) A nonpublic school;
(8) A church or other house of worship; or
(9) A nonpublic school located on the premises of a church or other house of worship.
Source: SL 1961, ch 49; SL 1979, ch 120; SL 1982, ch 86, § 145; SL 1990, ch 129; SL 1991, ch 147, § 1; SL 1993, ch 142; SL 2002, ch 90, § 1; SL 2013, ch 93, § 8; SL 2018, ch 98, § 1; SL 2024, ch 56, § 1.
13-32-8. School safety patrols--Insurance coverage.
Any school board may establish a school safety patrol to supervise students in the directing of other students crossing public streets on their way to and from school. The board of each school district may purchase health, accident, and liability insurance to cover all adult and student safety patrol members in the operation of such safety patrol.
Source: SL 1976, ch 119.
13-32-9. Suspension from extracurricular activities for controlled substances violation--Unified Judicial System to give certain notices.
Any person adjudicated, convicted, the subject of an informal adjustment or court-approved diversion program, or the subject of a suspended imposition of sentence or suspended adjudication of delinquency for possession, use, or distribution of controlled drugs or substances or marijuana as defined in chapter 22-42, or for ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise taking into the body any substances as prohibited by § 22-42-15, is ineligible to participate in any extracurricular activity at any secondary school accredited by the Department of Education for one calendar year from the date of adjudication, conviction, diversion, or suspended imposition of sentence. The one-year suspension may be reduced to thirty calendar days if the person participates in an assessment with a certified or licensed addiction counselor. If the assessment indicates the need for a higher level of care, the student is required to complete the prescribed program before becoming eligible to participate in extracurricular activities. Upon a second adjudication, conviction, diversion, or suspended imposition of a sentence for possession, use, or distribution of controlled drugs, substances, or marijuana as defined in chapter 22-42, or for ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise taking into the body any substance as prohibited by § 22-42-15, by a court of competent jurisdiction, that person is ineligible to participate in any extracurricular activity at any secondary school accredited by the Department of Education for one year from the date of adjudication, conviction, diversion, or suspended imposition of sentence. The one year suspension may be reduced to sixty calendar days if the person completes an accredited intensive prevention or treatment program. Upon a third or subsequent adjudication, conviction, diversion, or suspended imposition of sentence for possession, use, or distribution of controlled drugs or substances or marijuana as defined in chapter 22-42, or for ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise taking into the body any substances as prohibited by § 22-42-15, by a court of competent jurisdiction, that person is ineligible to participate in any extracurricular activity at any secondary school accredited by the Department of Education. Upon such a determination in any juvenile court proceeding the Unified Judicial System shall give notice of that determination to the South Dakota High School Activities Association and the chief administrator of the school in which the person is participating in any extracurricular activity. The Unified Judicial System shall give notice to the chief administrators of secondary schools accredited by the Department of Education for any such determination in a court proceeding for any person eighteen to twenty-one years of age without regard to current status in school or involvement in extracurricular activities. The notice shall include name, date of birth, city of residence, and offense. The chief administrator shall give notice to the South Dakota High School Activities Association if any such person is participating in extracurricular activities.
Upon placement of the person in an informal adjustment or court-approved diversion program, the state's attorney who placed the person in that program shall give notice of that placement to the South Dakota High School Activities Association and chief administrator of the school in which the person is participating in any extracurricular activity.
As used in this section, the term, extracurricular activity, means any activity sanctioned by the South Dakota High School Activities Association. Students are ineligible to participate in activity events, competitions, and performances, but a local school district may allow a student to participate in practices.
Source: SL 1997, ch 102, §§ 1, 4; SL 2003, ch 272 (Ex. Ord. 03-1), § 63; SL 2006, ch 82, § 1; SL 2010, ch 92, § 1; SL 2014, ch 88, § 1.
13-32-9.1. Consequences imposed by local school districts.
No local school board may impose a lesser consequence than those established in § 13-32-9, but a local school district may adopt a policy, by local school board action, with more strict consequences to meet the needs of the district.
Source: SL 2014, ch 88, § 2.
13-32-9.2. Reduced suspensions--Minimum requirements--Commencement of suspension.
If a suspension is reduced pursuant to § 13-32-9, a suspension for a first offense shall make the student ineligible for a minimum of two South Dakota High School Activities Association sanctioned events. If two sanctioned events for which the student is ineligible do not take place within the reduced suspension period, the student's suspension remains in effect until two sanctioned events for which the student is ineligible have taken place. If a suspension is reduced pursuant to § 13-32-9, a suspension for a second offense shall make the student ineligible for a minimum of six South Dakota High School Activities Association sanctioned events. If six sanctioned events for which the student is ineligible do not take place within the reduced suspension period, the student's suspension remains in effect until six sanctioned events for which the student is ineligible have taken place. To count toward the minimum number of events, the student must participate in the entire activity season and may not drop out or quit the activity to avoid suspension and the failure of a student to complete the entire activity season shall result in the student being ineligible for one year from the date of adjudication, conviction, the subject of an internal adjustment or court approved diversion program, or the subject of a suspended imposition of sentence or suspended adjudication of delinquency. A suspension that is not completed by the student during one activity season shall carry over to the next activity season in which the student participates. In addition, a suspension that is reduced pursuant to § 13-32-9 is only in effect during the South Dakota High School Activities Association's activity year, which begins on the first day of its first sanctioned event and concludes on the last day of its last sanctioned event. A reduced suspension that is not completed by the end of one activity year shall carry over to the next activity year.
A suspension begins on:
(1) The day following the notification to a school administrator by the Unified Judicial System that a student has been adjudicated, convicted, the subject of an informal adjustment or court approved diversion program, or the subject of a suspended imposition of a sentence or a suspended adjudication of delinquency for possession, use, or distribution of controlled drugs, substances, or marijuana as defined in chapter 22-42, or for ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise taking into the body any substance prohibited by § 22-42-15 and the school administrator gives notice to the South Dakota High School Activities Association and the students; or
(2) The day following the student's admission to a school administrator that the student committed an offense enumerated in subdivision (1), which shall be made with the student's parent or guardian present if the student is an unemancipated minor, and the school administrator gives notice to the South Dakota High School Activities Association.
Source: SL 2014, ch 88, § 3; SL 2015, ch 94, § 1.
13-32-10. Definition of terms regarding self-administration of medication.
Terms used in this section and §§13-32-11 to 13-32-13, inclusive, mean:
(1) "Medication," inhaled bronchodilator or auto-injectable epinephrine, or both;
(2) "Parent," any person standing in parental relation;
(3) "School," any public or nonpublic school;
(4) "Self-administration of prescription medication," a student's discretionary use of prescription asthma or anaphylaxis medication, or both.
Source: SL 2010, ch 93, § 1.
13-32-11. Student self-administration of prescription asthma and anaphylaxis medication.
Any student with asthma or anaphylaxis may possess and self-administer prescription medication while on school property or at a school-related event or activity if:
(1) The prescription medication has been prescribed for that student as indicated by the prescription label on the medication;
(2) The self-administration is done in compliance with the prescription or written instructions from the student's physician or other licensed health care provider; and
(3) A parent of the student provides to the school:
(a) Written authorization, signed by the parent, for the student to self-administer prescription medication while on school property or at a school-related event or activity;
(b) A written statement, signed by the parent, in which the parent releases the school district and its employees and agents from liability for an injury arising from the student's self-administration of prescription medication while on school property or at a school-related event or activity unless in cases of wanton or willful misconduct;
(c) A written statement from the student's physician or other licensed health care provider, signed by the physician or provider, that states:
(i) The student has asthma or anaphylaxis or both, and is capable of self-administering the prescription medication;
(ii) The name and purpose of the medication;
(iii) The prescribed dosage for the medication;
(iv) The times at which or circumstances under which the medication may be administered; and
(v) The period for which the medication is prescribed.
The physician's or provider's statement must be kept on file in the office of the school nurse of the school the student attends or, if there is not a school nurse, in the office of the principal of the school the student attends.
Source: SL 2010, ch 93, § 2.
13-32-12. Disciplinary action regarding self-administration of medication.
If any student uses the medication in a manner other than prescribed, the student may be subject to disciplinary action by the school. However, the disciplinary action may not limit or restrict the student's immediate access to the medication.
Source: SL 2010, ch 93, § 3.
13-32-13. Applicability of provisions regarding self-administration of medication.
The provisions of §§ 13-32-10 to 13-32-12, inclusive, do not apply to any of the following group living environments:
(1) A facility operated by the Department of Corrections;
(2) A facility operated by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Social Services;
(3) A group care or residential treatment facility licensed by the Department of Social Services;
(4) A residential treatment facility accredited by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Social Services;
(5) A community support provider as defined in § 27B-1-17;
(6) An intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities;
(7) A juvenile detention center or holding facility operated by a county; or
(8) A hospital or health care facility as defined in § 34-12-1.1.
Source: SL 2010, ch 93, § 4; SL 2011, ch 1 (Ex. Ord. 11-1), § 134, eff. Apr. 12, 2011; SL 2013, ch 125, § 3.
13-32-14. Adoption of bullying policy.
If a school district does not have a bullying policy, the school district shall follow the model bullying policy in § 13-32-19 until such time as the school district adopts its own bullying policy. Nothing in §§ 13-32-14 to 13-32-19, inclusive, supplants or preempts an existing school district policy, except that no school district policy prohibiting bullying, whether it is existing or adopted pursuant to §§ 13-32-14 to 13-32-19, inclusive, may contain any protected classes of students.
Source: SL 2012, ch 96, § 1.
13-32-15. Bullying defined.
Bullying is a pattern of repeated conduct that causes physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students that may include threats, intimidation, stalking as defined in chapter 22-19A, physical violence, theft, destruction of property, any threatening use of data or computer software, written or verbal communication, or conduct directed against a student that:
(1) Places a student in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property; and either
(2) Substantially interferes with a student's educational performance; or
(3) Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of a school.
For the purposes of §§ 13-32-14 to 13-32-19, inclusive, bullying also includes retaliation against a student for asserting or alleging an act of bullying.
Source: SL 2012, ch 96, § 2.
13-32-16. Bullying policy requirements.
Each school district policy developed pursuant to §§ 13-32-14 to 13-32-19, inclusive, shall contain the following provisions:
(1) A statement prohibiting bullying and a definition of bullying that includes the definition listed in § 13-32-15;
(2) A description of the type of behavior expected from each student of the school district, and the consequences for a student of the school district who commits an act of bullying;
(3) A procedure for reporting an act of bullying, including provisions that permit a person to anonymously report such an act, although formal disciplinary action may not be based solely on an anonymous report; and
(4) A procedure for the prompt investigation and response to any report of bullying, including a requirement that an investigation be conducted on any alleged incident of bullying committed against a child while the child is aboard a school bus, at a school bus stop, or at a school-sponsored event.
Source: SL 2012, ch 96, § 3.
13-32-17. Action for damages from bullying--Immunity for reporting.
Any school district employee, school volunteer, student, or parent who promptly reports in good faith an act of bullying to the appropriate school district official as designated in the school district's policy, and who makes the report in compliance with the provisions of the school district's policy is immune from any cause of action for damages arising from failure to remedy the reported incident. Moreover, the provisions of §§ 13-32-14 to 13-32-19, inclusive, do not create a cause of action against any school district, school district employee, school volunteer, student, or parent unless there has been substantial noncompliance with the school district's policy resulting in injury to a protected person.
Source: SL 2012, ch 96, § 4.
13-32-18. Incidents involving electronic devices.
Neither the physical location nor the time of day of any incident involving the use of computers or other electronic devices is a defense to any disciplinary action taken by a school district for conduct determined to meet the definition of bullying in § 13-32-15.
Source: SL 2012, ch 96, § 5.
13-32-19. Model bullying policy.
The model bullying policy pursuant to §§ 13-32-14 to 13-32-18, inclusive, is as follows:
PROHIBITION OF HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, AND BULLYING
The School District is committed to maintaining a constructive, safe school climate that is conducive to student learning and fostering an environment in which all students are treated with respect and dignity.
Persistent bullying can severely inhibit a student's ability to learn and may have lasting negative effects on a student's life. The bullying of students by students, staff, or third parties is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.
Bullying consists of repeated physical, verbal, non-verbal, written, electronic, or any conduct directed toward a student that is so pervasive, severe, and objectively offensive that it:
(1) Has the purpose of creating or resulting in an intimidating, hostile, or offensive academic environment; or
(2) Has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with a student's academic performance which deprives the student access to educational opportunities.
Any staff member observing or suspecting bullying toward another individual is required to report the issue to his or her building supervisor.
This policy is in effect while students are on property within the jurisdiction of the School Board; while students are in school-owned or school-operated vehicles; and while students are attending or engaged in school-sponsored activities.
The District will act to investigate all complaints (formal or informal, verbal or written) of bullying. A formal complaint may be submitted to the building principal. Any student engaging in an act of bullying is subject to discipline pursuant to the District's student discipline procedure.
This policy may not be interpreted to prohibit civil exchange of opinions or debate protected under the state or federal constitutions if the opinion expressed does not otherwise materially or substantially disrupt the education process or intrude upon the rights of others.
Source: SL 2012, ch 96, § 6.
13-32-20. Policy for school district employees on use of restraint and seclusion.
The school board of each school district shall adopt or revise a school district policy for school district employees on the use of restraint and seclusion. The policy shall contain the following provisions:
(1) A procedure for notifying the parent or guardian of the student, unless the student is emancipated, of an incident requiring the use of restraint or seclusion;
(2) A prohibition on the use of prone restraint, defined as physical pressure applied to any part of the student's body to keep the student in a face down position on the floor or other surface, except when the use is necessary and reasonable in manner and moderate in degree; and
(3) A prohibition on the use of involuntary confinement of a student locked alone in a room, unless there is a clear and present danger.
Source: SL 2018, ch 99, § 1.
