The Governing Board is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and positive school environment which is conducive to student learning and to preparing students for responsible citizenship by fostering self-discipline and personal responsibility. The Board believes that high expectations for student behavior, use of effective school and classroom management strategies, provision of appropriate intervention and support, and parent involvement can minimize the need for disciplinary measures that exclude students from instruction as a means for correcting student misbehavior.

The Superintendent or designee shall develop effective, age-appropriate strategies for maintaining a positive school climate and correcting student misbehavior at district schools. The strategies shall focus on providing students with needed supports; communicating clear, appropriate, and consistent expectations and consequences for student conduct; and ensuring equity and continuous improvement in the implementation of district discipline policies and practices.

In addition, the Superintendent or designee's strategies for correcting student misconduct shall reflect the Board's preference for the use of positive interventions and alternative disciplinary measures over exclusionary discipline measures.

Disciplinary measures that may result in loss of instructional time or cause students to be disengaged from school, such as detention, suspension, and expulsion, shall be imposed only when required or permitted by law or when other means of correction have been documented to have failed. (Education Code 48900.5)

School personnel and volunteers shall not allow any disciplinary action taken against a student to result in the denial or delay of a school meal. (Education Code 49557.5)

The administrative staff at each school may develop disciplinary rules to meet the school's particular needs consistent with law, Board policy, and district regulations. The Board, at an open meeting, shall review the approved school discipline rules for consistency with Board policy and state law. Site-level disciplinary rules shall be included in the district's comprehensive safety plan. (Education Code 32282, 35291.5)

At all times, the safety of students and staff and the maintenance of an orderly school environment shall be priorities in determining appropriate discipline. When misconduct occurs, staff shall attempt to identify the causes of the student's behavior and implement appropriate discipline. When choosing between different disciplinary strategies, staff shall consider the effect of each option on the student's health, well-being, and opportunity to learn.

Staff shall enforce disciplinary rules fairly, consistently, and in accordance with the district's nondiscrimination policies.

The Superintendent or designee shall provide professional development as necessary to assist staff in developing the skills needed to effectively implement the disciplinary strategies adopted for district schools, including, but not limited to, consistent school and classroom management skills, effective accountability and positive intervention techniques, and development of strong, cooperative relationships with parents/guardians.

District goals for improving school climate, based on suspension and expulsion rates, surveys of students, staff, and parents/guardians regarding their sense of school safety, and other local measures, shall be included in the district's local control and accountability plan, as required by law.