"Where Futures Begin"
The TALLADEGA CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION believes it is a fundamental requirement of an orderly school that students respect the faculty and administration and will be accompanied by an equal respect for the students by the faculty and administration. The greater this mutual respect, the less the need for rules and disciplinary procedures.  The building principal is charged with the proper enforcement of discipline in the total school setting.  The principal has the discretionary authority to use or authorize the other certified personnel to use the following disciplinary measures to correct pupil behavior.

Students are held to the same rules of conduct and dress at all school activities, regardless of whether they are during school or after school or whether the activity is on the school campus or away from the school campus.  Students must be dressed properly when they arrive on campus (get on the bus) and remain properly dressed until they depart from campus (depart from the bus).

It is considered a fundamental understanding by each student and his/her parents that any teacher or school official has not only the right but the duty, to insist on good behavior.  The right of discipline extends to all areas of the school program, on or off school property while attending or participating in school events.

The following behaviors are prohibited in the Talladega City Schools:
Class 1 Offenses
1.1Failure to follow directions of a teacher or administrator.
1.2Excessive distraction of other students. (Any conduct and/or behavior that is disruptive to the orderly educational process in the classroom or any similar grouping for instruction. Examples: talking excessively, making noises, provoking, or harassing other students, interrupting class functions, etc.)
1.3Offensive touching of another student. (Not including acts of a sexual nature.)
1.4Non-conformity to dress code as specified in board of education policy.
1.5Excessive tardiness to class (Ellis and THS).
1.6Minor disruption on school bus
1.7Inappropriate display of affection
1.8Unauthorized use of school property
1.9Any other violation that the school administration may deem reasonable to fall within this category after consideration of extenuating circumstances.
Class 1 Disciplinary Actions
Parents/guardians notification is required. The discretion of the principal or his/her designee for the following sanctions will include but not be limited to the following:
* Conference with the student
* Verbal reprimand
* Withdrawal of privilege(s)
* Parents/guardians conference(s)
* Temporary removal from class (including prohibiting the student from attending special events, i.e. field trips, assemblies, etc.)
* Detention
* In-school suspension
* Disciplinary probation
* School bus suspension (less than 10 days)
* Other sanction(s) as approved by the Talladega City Board of Education
Class 2 Offenses
2.1Defiance of authority and/or disrespect to school board employees. (Any verbal or non-verbal refusal to comply with a reasonable direction or order of a school board employee, including refusal to identify self. Any verbal or non-verbal conduct and/or behavior directed toward a school board employee that is rude or discourteous.)
2.2Intentionally providing false information to school personnel. (Forgery of parent’s names; providing false information to parents such as changing grades, forging notes, passes or forms, etc.)
2.3Inhibiting resolution of a fight. (Willful obstruction or interference of parties trying to stop a fight through any means such as locking arms, refusal to move, etc.)
2.4Vandalism/Property damage. (Intentionally defacing or damaging the property of another – public or private up to $50.00).
2.5Stealing/Theft (Taking and/or carrying away of public or personal property.
2.6Possession of stolen property. (With knowledge that it is stolen)
2.7Written or verbal propositions to engage in sexual acts. (May be upgraded to 4.6 depending on the judgment of the principal.)
2.8Unauthorized absence from class or school—cutting or skipping. (Leaving class or school grounds without following proper procedure.)
2.9Use of profane or obscene language or gestures.
2.10Trespassing/Loitering/Unlawful assembly. (Students assigned to the school being present in an unauthorized place in the school or on school property or refusing to leave the premises when ordered to do so by school personnel, or presence on school property at unauthorized times.)
2.11Cheating (Receiving of information from an unauthorized source on assignments, verbal or written communication during an exam, and/or actions, activities, or conduct that violates the instructions of the test administrator.)
2.12Offensive touching in a sexual manner.
2.13Bullying
2.14Unsafe/Unlicensed driving
2.15Gambling (Participation in games of chance for money and/or other items of value.)
2.16Any other violation that the school administration may deem reasonable to fall within this category after investigation and consideration of extenuating circumstances
Class 2 Disciplinary Actions
Parents/guardians notification is required. The discretion of the principal or his/her designee for the following sanctions will include but not be limited to the following:
* Temporary removal from class (including prohibiting the student from attending special events, i.e., field trips, etc.)
* Detention
* In-school suspension
* Alternative Education Program
* Out-of-school suspension (parent/guardian contact required)
* Referral to outside agency, including the criminal justice system
* School bus suspension
* Restitution of property and damages where appropriate
* Other sanction(s) as approved by the Talladega City Board of Education
Class 3 Offenses
3.1Directing obscene gesture or profane language or gestures to a school board employee.
3.2Battery upon another student. (The actual causing of bodily harm to another student, including pushing, tripping or striking).
3.3Fighting
3.4Extortion (Verbally or by a written or printed communication threatening injury to the person, property or reputation of another with the intent to compel the person so threatened, or any other person to do any act or refrain from doing any act against his/her will).
3.5Inciting or participating in a major student disorder. (Leading, encouraging or assisting in major disruptions which results in destruction or damage of private or public property or personal injury to participants or others, or which seriously disrupts the educational process, such as setting off fire alarm/fire extinguisher)
3.6Threats (The intentional threat by word or action to do harm to another, coupled with the apparent ability to carry out the threat.)
3.7Smoking and/or possession of any tobacco products, matches, or lighters.
3.8Robbery
3.9Any other violation that the school administration may deem reasonable to fall within this category after investigation and consideration of extenuating circumstances
Class 3 Disciplinary Actions
Parents/guardians notification is required. The Principal’s discretion for the following sanctions will include but not be limited to:
* Out-of-school suspension (Parents/guardians contact required)
* Alternative Education Program
* Referral to outside agency, including the criminal justice system
* Expulsion
* Restitution of property and damages where appropriate
* Other sanctions(s) as approved by the Talladega City Board of Education
Class 4 Offenses
4.1Actual battery upon a school board employee. (The actual striking or touching of a school board employee against his/her will, or causing bodily harm to a school board employee against his/her will).
4.2Sales, purchase, use or possession of illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages.
4.3Possession, use, or display of weapons other than firearms. (Possession or display of weapons other than firearms with the threat to use or intimidate.) A weapon is defined as any object, which can be used to injure or intimidate another person.
4.4Other criminal acts as defined under the laws of the City of Talladega, State of Alabama, or the United States. (Including but not limited to burglary of school property, vandalism (over $50), arson, possession or igniting of explosive devices – including firecrackers, bomb threats, robbery and unlawful interference with school authorities in the discharge of their official duties.)
4.5Bomb threats
4.6Sexual acts (Acts of sexual nature including, but not limited to, battery, intercourse, or attempted intercourse, or deliberate indecent exposure.)
4.7Threat of attempted battery upon a school board employee. (Threat by word or act to do violence to the person or property of a school board employee; actual damage to property up to $50.)
4.8Trespass by unauthorized persons
4.9Arson
Class 5 Offense
5.1Possession/Use of a firearm (Possession or use of a firearm on campus or at a school-sponsored function on or off the school campus will result in expulsion for one calendar year under the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994. The Superintendent of Schools shall have the authority to modify the one-year expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis.)
Any student who brings a weapon to school sponsored activities on or off campus, or on transportation shall be referred to the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system.
Class 4 and 5 Disciplinary Actions
All six (6) steps listed below apply. Administrators should refer to Due Process Guidelines in the Board Policy Manual in order to preserve the constitutional rights of the student.
1.Principal shall notify law enforcement and appropriate juvenile authorities.
2.Principal shall contact parent; parent shall be notified, in writing, of the pending charge(s) and the actions recommended at the school level.
3.Principal shall notify assistant superintendent (hearing officer) of the offense. Principal (or designee) shall furnish hearing officer evidence of the alleged offense as well as pertinent information regarding the student’s overall conduct, attendance, and academic record.
4.Assistant superintendent shall review the school level charges and determine if a district level response is warranted.  The assistant superintendent will notify the parent of the actions to be taken at the district level. 
5.If a district level hearing is required, the assistant superintendent will notify the parent and student of the date, time, and place where the hearing will be held. If anyone other than the student and the parent/guardian is to attend the hearing, the assistant superintendent/hearing officer must be informed. 
6.The parent will be informed in writing of the hearing officer’s decision and their rights in accordance with the district’s student grievance procedure.



Click the link below for the entire student handbook and code of conduct in Micorsoft Word format