The Wilkes County Board of Education is committed to creating safe, orderly, clean, and inviting schools for all students and staff. The Board of Education also supports state laws that prohibit the selling or distribution of tobacco products to minors and federal law prohibiting smoking in all school buildings.
Prohibited Behavior
In support of the Board of Education's commitments and state and federal law, students are prohibited from using or possessing any tobacco product or electronic cigarette. An electronic cigarette is defined as a cigarette-shaped device containing a nicotine-based liquid that is vaporized and inhaled, used to simulate the experience of smoking tobacco (1) in any school building, school vehicle, or on the school grounds at any time; (2) at any school-related activity, including athletic events; or (3) at any time when the student is subject to the supervision of school personnel, including school trips.
Consequences
Consequences for engaging in prohibited behavior will be provided in accordance with the school's student behavior management plan (see policy 4302, School Plan for Management of Student Behavior). In providing consequences for violation of the policy, school officials are encouraged to identify programs or opportunities for students to gain a greater understanding of the health hazards for the tobacco user and the impact of tobacco use on efforts to provide a safe, orderly, clean, and inviting school environment.
Consequences for Students in K-5 Schools
Parents will be notified when each offense occurs and asked to attend a conference with the principal or designee before any student returns to the classroom.
1st Offense: Any of the following - Withholding free time or other privileges, assigning after-school penalties, or other punishments as deemed appropriate by the principal. Appropriate tobacco education and/or counseling will be provided.
2nd Offense: Any of the following - Withholding free time or other privileges, assigning after-school penalties, or other punishments as deemed appropriate by the principal. Appropriate tobacco education and/or counseling will be provided.
3rd Offense: Out-of-school suspension for up to three (3) days.
4th Offense and Each Subsequent Offense: Out-of-school suspension for up to five (5) days.
Consequences for High School and Middle School Students
Parents will be notified when each offense occurs and asked to attend a conference with the principal or designee before any student returns to the classroom.
1st Offense: Out-of-school suspension for up to three (3) days with appropriate tobacco education and/or counseling after returning to school.
2nd Offense: Out-of-school suspension for up to three (3) days with appropriate tobacco education and/or counseling after returning to school.
3rd Offense: Out-of-school suspension for up to five (5) days.
4th Offense and Each Subsequent Offense: Out-of-school suspension for up to ten days.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C.A. 6083; G.S. 14-313; 115C-47, -288, -307, -391
Cross Reference: School Plan for Management of Student Behavior (policy 4302)
Adopted: May 13, 1987
Revised: August 8, 1988; September 25, 1990; November 14, 1994; May 17, 2004; December 2, 2013