Series 5000: Students

5131.8 Off School Grounds Misconduct

Students are subject to discipline, up to and including suspension and expulsion for misconduct,  which is seriously disruptive of the educational process and is a violation of a publicized Board  policy, even if such misconduct occurs off-school property and during non-school time. 

In compliance with judicial decisions, the Board considers conduct which is "severely disruptive of  the educational process" to mean conduct that "markedly interrupts or severely impedes the day-to day operations of a school" in addition to such conduct also being violative of publicized school  policy. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, phoning in a bomb threat, or making a threat,  off school grounds, to kill or hurt a teacher or student.

In addition, in making the determination as to whether conduct is “seriously disruptive of the  educational process,” the administration may consider, but such consideration shall not be limited  to (l) whether the incident occurred within close proximity of a school; (2) whether other students  from the school were involved or whether there was any gang involvement; (3) whether the  conduct involved violence, threats of violence or the unlawful use of a weapon, as defined in  Section 29-38 and whether any injuries occurred; and (4) whether the conduct involved the use of  alcohol. The Board of Education or impartial hearing board, in matters of expulsion for out of  school misconduct, in making a determination as to whether conduct is "seriously disruptive of the  educational process," may consider, but consideration is not limited to the same items listed  previously. 

Such discipline may result whether: l) the incident was initiated in the school or on school grounds,  or 2) even if the incident occurred or was initiated off-school grounds and non-school time; if after  the occurrence there was a reasonable likelihood that return of the student would contribute to a  disruptive effect on the school education or its process, markedly interrupting or severely impeding  the day-to day operation of a school, by threatening: 

1. The school' s orderly operations; 

2. The safety of the school property; 

3. The welfare of the persons who work or study there. 

Examples of the type of such off-school misconduct that may result in such discipline include but  are not limited to: 

1. Use, possession, sale, or distribution of dangerous weapons; (as defined C.G.S. 53a-3, 53- 206, and 29-35) 

2. Use, possession, sale, or distribution of illegal drugs; or 

3. Violent conduct, 

4. Making of a bomb threat, 

5. Threatening to harm or kill another student or member of the staff. 

where any such activity has the reasonable likelihood of threatening the health, safety or welfare of  school property, individuals thereon, and/or the educational process.

For example, if it is determined that a student' s use, possession, or sale of drugs in the community  has a strong likelihood of endangering the safety of students or employees because of the  possibility of such sales in the school; or if violent conduct in the community presents a reasonable  likelihood of repeating itself in the school environment; or if any similar type of misconduct in the  community has a reasonable likelihood of being continued or repeated in school or of bringing  retaliation or revenge into the school for such off-school misconduct, the Board may impose  discipline up to and including suspension and/or expulsion. The rationale to be applied in  considering disciplinary action is whether the off-school grounds conduct will markedly interrupt  or severely impede the day-to-day operation of a school. 

A student who possessed and used a firearm, deadly weapon, dangerous instrument or martial arts  weapon in the commission of a crime off-campus shall be expelled for one calendar year unless  said expulsion is modified on a case-by-case basis. 

Legal Reference:

Connecticut General Statutes 

4- 176e through 4- 185 Uniform Administrative Procedure Act.

10-233a through 10-233f re in-school suspension, suspension, expulsion. (as  amended by PA 98-139) 

29-35 Carrying of pistol or revolver without permit prohibited. 

29-38 Weapons in vehicles. 

53a-3 Firearms and deadly weapons. 

53-206 Carrying and sale of dangerous weapons. 

53a-217b Possession of firearms and deadly weapons on school grounds. 

PA 94-221 An Act Concerning School Safety. 

18 U.S.C. 921 Definitions. 

PL 103-382 Elementary and Secondary Education Act. (Sec. 14601 - Gun  Free Requirements: Gun Free School Act of 1994) 

PA 95-304 An Act Concerning School Safety. 

PA 96-244 An Act Concerning Revisions to the Education Statutes. 

Kyle P. Packer PPA Jane Packer v. Thomaston Board of Education. (SC 15862)

Wisniewski v. Bd. Of Educ., 494F.3d34 (2nd Cir. 2007) 

Doninger v. Niehoff, 257F.3d (2nd Cir. 2008) 

Policy adopted: February 12, 2018 THOMASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Thomaston, Connecticut