Students are prohibited from engaging in gang-like activities while on school property or at any school sponsored event occurring off school property. As used herein, the phrase “gang-like activities” shall mean any conduct engaged in by a student:

1. On behalf of any gang;
2. To perpetuate the existence of any gang;
3. To effect the common purpose and design of any gang; or
4. To represent a gang affiliation, loyalty or membership in any gang while on school grounds or while attending a school function.

Gang-like activities include but are not limited to, recruiting students for membership in any gang and/or threatening or intimidating students or employees in furtherance of the common purpose and design of any gang. Gang-like activities include but are not limited to, wearing, possessing, using, displaying, drawing and/or hand signing gang signs and/or gang symbols while on school property or at any school sponsored event occurring off school property. Students are prohibited from wearing on school property or at school sponsored event occurring off school property, clothing, apparel or accessories which signify membership or affiliation with any gang.

“Gang” is defined as any organization, association or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, having as one of its activities the commission of criminal acts or acts in violation of school rules, which has an identifiable name or identifying sign or symbol, and whose members individually or collectively engage in, or have engaged in criminal activities or activities relating to the violation of school rules.

If a student or group of students engage in any activity that appears to be gang-like as defined in this policy, the school Principal shall investigate and consult with the Shelby County Schools Safety & Security Specialist in determining whether or not the activity observed is known to be associated with a particular gang.

In all cases, students shall be granted a hearing before the school Principal, as defined in Policy 6202, and a student’s parent or legal guardian may appeal any suspension or expulsion that exceeds ten (10) days to the Disciplinary Hearing Authority, the Superintendent of Schools, and ultimately to the Board of Education as prescribed in Policy 6209.

In determining the appropriate disciplinary action, the Principal shall consider whether the student’s gang-like activity was intended to: (1) intimidate or threaten other students or school employees; (2) encourage or recruit other students to join a gang; (3) to fulfill a requirement of a particular gang; or (4) some other purpose.

A violation of any portion of this policy is grounds for suspension up to 180 days and/or expulsion from school.