Introduction
This Code of Student Conduct (Code) has been adopted to help your child gain the greatest possible benefit from child
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 of Student Conduct has been written
so students and family members know what behavior is expected and prohibited at school or at school activities. It is
helpful if parents* are aware of school rules so they can help support them from home. In order to conserve resources,
schools will not distribute paper copies the Code to every student. You can locate an electronic copy of the Code online
at the district website at: https://www.marionschools.net/codeofstudentconduct. If you require a paper copy of the
Code, please contact your school to make your request known.
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 THIS CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT VIA THE METHODS ABOVE. FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE
THE CODE WILL NOT EXEMPT A STUDENT OR PARENT/ GUARDIAN FROM THE RESPONSIBILITY OF COMPLIANCE
WITH THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT, NOR WILL IT RELIEVE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO
MARION COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROPERTY.
In Loco Parentis
State and federal law recognizes 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 of Student Conduct.
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 Bylaw 0100]), 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, 1990 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, Equity Assurance Director, ADA, Title IX and Equity Issues Phone: (352) 671-7711; 1614 E. Fort King Street,
Ocala, FL 34471. Director, Exceptional Student Education and Contact for Section 504 Compliance Phone: (352) 671-
6832; 1614 E. Fort King Street, Ocala, FL 34471.
*Whenever the term “parent” is used, it also refers to legal guardian.