The infractions of school discipline in the Shelby County Schools listed below are grouped into categories according to the seriousness of the offense. This list is not intended to be exclusive or all inclusive. For infractions not specifically listed below, school principals shall assign discipline in accordance with the category that appears to be comparable to the offenses specifically listed in the category.

Category A – STATE ZERO TOLERANCE OFFENSES – T.C.A. § 49-6-4216

1. Aggravated Assault resulting in serious bodily injury upon any teacher, principal, administrator, school resource officer, or any other school employee;

2. Unlawful possession, sale, or evidence of use of drugs/narcotics at school or at a school-sponsored activity;

3. Unauthorized possession of a firearm on school property or at a school sponsored activity.

PENALTY:      STUDENTS FOUND GUILTY OF A CATEGORY A OFFENSE SHALL BE SUSPENDED FOR 180 DAYS. NOTIFICATION WILL BE MADE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES. ANY MODIFICATION OF THIS PENALTY CAN ONLY BE MADE BY THE SUPERINTENDENT.

Category B

1. Possession of a knife or any potentially lethal weapon, Taser, or explosive on school property or at a school-sponsored activity;

2. Evidence of drinking or possession of alcoholic beverages in school or at a school sponsored activity;

3. Off-campus criminal behavior resulting in a felony charge, when the behavior poses a danger to persons or property or disrupts the educational process;

4. Gang activities - Activity that is threatening and/or intimidating, harassing in nature or recruiting; gang notebooks with gang pledges, codes and symbols that are used in communication such as threats and warnings and recruiting; gang related fights, and all types of violent acts; gang graffiti especially drawn on school property (bathrooms, lockers and hall walls); electronic devices such as cell phones with recognized gang text, with gang symbols, signs and language that is threatening and or intimidating;

5. Evidence of use or possession of drug paraphernalia, substances for huffing, any substance under guise of it being a controlled substance or prescription drug, and/or medical preparations without proper medical authorization.

6. Possession, use or distribution of counterfeit money on school property or at any school sponsored activity.

7. Assault and/or battery upon any teacher, principal, administrator, school resource officer, or any other school employee.

PENALTY:      STUDENTS FOUND GUILTY OF CATEGORY B OFFENSES SHALL BE SUSPENDED FOR 180 DAYS. WHEN APPROPRIATE, NOTIFICATION WILL BE MADE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES. MODIFICATION OF THIS PENALTY CAN BE MADE BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OR THE DISCIPLINARY HEARING AUTHORITY.

Category C

1. Threatening bodily harm to school personnel;

2. Smoking and or the possession of tobacco products by students while in or on school, properties or under school's jurisdiction during school hours or while participating in a school-sponsored event;

3. Gang activities - any gang related activity not specified in Category B.

4. Malicious destruction of or damage to school property, including electronic media;

5. Stealing or misappropriation of school or personal property (regardless of intent to return);

6. Immoral or disreputable conduct.

PENALTY:      SUSPENSION; NOTIFICATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES; POSSIBLE EXPULSION FROM SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS

Category D

1. Open or continued defiant attitude or willful disobedience toward a member of school staff;

2. Vulgar, profane, immoral/disreputable or rude remarks or non-verbal action to staff member or fellow student;

3. Physical or verbal intimidation or threats to other students, including hazing;

4. Threatening bodily harm to another student;

5. Fighting in or on school property;

6. Possession of mace or disabling sprays;

7. Inappropriate use of electronic media, including, but not limited to, all calls (land line, cellular or computer generated), instant messaging, text messaging, audio recording devices, IPods, MP3s or any type of electronic music or entertainment device, and cameras and camera phones;

8. Inciting, advising or counseling of others to engage in any acts in Categories A, B or C.

PENALTY:      IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION, OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION, POSSIBLE EXPULSION

Category E

1. Truancy;

2. Unauthorized absence from class;

3. Intentional disturbance of class, cafeteria or school activities;

4. Leaving school grounds without permission;

5. Being in an unauthorized area without permission;

6. Tampering with grades or report cards;

7. Possession of lighters or matches;

8. Possession of and access to beepers, cellular phones or other electronic communication devices during school hours without written permission of the principal;

9. Inciting, advising or counseling others to engage in any acts in Category D;

10. Dress Code Violation.

PENALTY: PARENT-PRINCIPAL CONFERENCE, IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION, BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL DETENTION

Multiple infractions of any one or more of the offenses in Category E over a period of time by a student may result in an out-of-school suspension at the discretion of the school principal.