Introduction
This Code of Student Conduct (Code) has been adopted to help your child
gain the greatest possible benefit from their education. Please read and
discuss the Code with your child. Students are encouraged to discuss the Code
with their teachers and school administrators to ensure clarity and
understanding. This Code has been written so students and family members know
what behaviors are expected and what is prohibited at school and at school
activities. It is helpful if parents* are aware of school rules so they can
help support these rules from home. In order to conserve resources, schools
will not distribute paper copies of the Code to every student. You can locate
an electronic copy of the Code online at the district website: https://www.marionschools.net/codeofstudentconduct. If you require a
paper copy of the Code, please contact your school to make your request known.
* Where the term “parent” is used, it also
refers to legal guardian.
Students will acknowledge that they have read and understand the
Code on the student desktop. Parents will acknowledge they have read and
understand the Code through Skyward Family Access. STUDENTS AND PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
READING, UNDERSTANDING, AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE CODE VIA THE METHODS ABOVE.
FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CODE WILL NOT EXEMPT A STUDENT OR PARENT FROM THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE, NOR WILL IT RELIEVE ACCOUNTABILITY
FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO MARION COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROPERTY.
In Loco Parentis
State and federal law recognize that teachers and school administrators have the authority to act in the place of
parents over children entrusted to them at school. This is a concept called, in loco parentis. While this power is
not equal to a parent’s power over a child, it permits school personnel to exercise a degree of supervision and
control over students that could not be exercised over free adults. Fla Stat.§1003.31 also recognizes that
students are under the control and direction of the principal/designee.
This concept is responsible for the fact that school personnel can search without a warrant based on reasonable suspicion and are not held to the higher standard of “probable cause” by which Law Enforcement is bound. This concept is responsible for the fact that school personnel can interview students and request a statement without providing the student with Miranda warnings or allowing the student to call a parent or attorney.
Authority of Administration and Teacher
Under Fla. Stat. §1003.32,
teachers and school staff have the authority to manage student behavior and
maintain order in classrooms and other supervised settings, as directed by the
principal or their designee. Teachers may send students to the office for
disciplinary reasons, and recommend appropriate consequences in line with the
Code. They may also remove students whose behavior disrupts teaching or
learning. The School Board, Superintendent, and school principals are required
to support teachers in removing disobedient, violent, abusive, uncontrollable,
or disruptive students from class.
Responsibilities of the Principal and Staff
The principal, under the supervision of the Superintendent
and in accordance with District policies, holds primary responsibility for the
administration and instructional leadership of the school. Faculty and staff
are expected to support the orderly operation of the school and uphold
students’ rights.
Marion County Public Schools: An Equal Opportunity School District
Students in Marion County are entitled to
certain rights, standards, and protections including due process, equal
opportunity, confidentiality of records, health and safety safeguards, and
access to employment opportunities. The District is committed to upholding
these rights for all students.
The District does not discriminate on the
basis of race (including anti-Semitism as defined in Board Policy 1122), ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation,
disability (including HIV, AIDS, or sickle cell trait), pregnancy, religion,
marital status, age (except as authorized by law), military status, ancestry,
or genetic information which are classes protected by State and/or Federal law
(collectively, "protected classes") in its educational programs,
services or activities, or in its hiring or employment practices as required by
Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, Age Discrimination Act of 1967, Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 1992 Americans with Disabilities Act, and the
Florida Educational Equity Act of 1984.
Questions or requests for additional
information regarding these acts may be forwarded to the designated equity
administrator below, or you may visit the school district’s website for more
information at http://www.marionschools.net.
Director of Employee Relations, ADA, Title
IX and Equity Issues
Phone: (352) 671-7711; 1614 E. Fort King Street, Ocala, FL
34471.
Director of Exceptional Student Education
and Contact for Section 504 Compliance
Phone: (352) 671-6832; 1614 E. Fort King
Street, Ocala, FL 34471.