jk- student discipline
Date Adopted: 22 June 1984
Current Review / Revision: 14 January 2026
General authority—
If a particular type of conduct has the effect of disrupting the learning atmosphere, it should be subject to regulation. The Board possesses discretion in promulgating regulations for the proper conduct of students.
Utah Code § 53E-3-501(1)(b)(v) (2025)
Utah Admin. Rules R277-609-1 (April 8, 2025)
Comprehensive conduct and discipline plan—
The District shall, with input from administration, instructional and support staff, students, parents, community councils, and other community members, develop a comprehensive plan for student and classroom management, school discipline, and restorative practices. This plan shall meet the content requirements set forth in Utah Admin. Rules R277-609-4 and shall also provide a process for parental outreach and education regarding the policy and how the District can provide a discrimination and harassment free environment through strategies promoting positive engagement between staff, students, and parents. This comprehensive plan is located in each schools’ student handbook as approved by the school board.
Utah Admin. Rules R277-609-3 (April 8, 2025)
Relation of school discipline rules to other policies—
Rules and procedures shall prohibit corporal punishment and shall restrict the use of reasonable and necessary physical restraint as set forth in these policies and pursuant to Utah Code § 53G-8-301 and Utah Administrative Rules R277-607. Policies shall include written procedures for the suspension and expulsion of, or denial of admission to, a student, consistent with due process and other provisions of law, including Utah Code § 53G-8-204 et seq. Moreover, all rules and procedures shall be consistent with all other policies of the Board, and all state statutes and federal laws governing school discipline, including Utah Code § 53G-8-203, Utah Code § 53G-8-204 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. § 794).
Revising discipline rules—
In adopting or revising the District’s rules and regulations, the school board shall solicit input from various interest groups at the school and in the community, including district employees, parents of students, and students.
Utah Code § 53G-8-202(2)(a) (2019)
Emergency Removals—
Students may be removed from regular classes or District premises for non-disciplinary health, safety, and welfare reasons when the Board or its designee determines that an emergency exists.
Any student removed from school for any “emergency” reason who is in a condition that threatens his or her own welfare or the welfare of others shall be released to the student’s parent or guardian, the parent’s or guardian’s representative, or other proper authority, including, but not limited to, law enforcement officers and medical personnel.
The District shall make reasonable efforts to notify the parent or guardian prior to removing a student from school premises for emergency reasons. If the parent cannot be notified prior to the removal, the parent shall be notified as soon as possible after the removal and the reasons for it.
Students with Disabilities—
Federal and state laws impose particular requirements regarding discipline of students identified as having a disability or when the school has sufficient notice of a disability. Discipline of such students must comport with the requirements set forth in Policy FHAD for students with disabilities.
Teacher’s Authority—
A teacher may remove from class a student who has been documented by the teacher to repeatedly interfere with the teacher’s ability to communicate effectively with the students in the class. Not later than the third class day after the day on which the student is removed from the class, the Principal shall schedule a hearing to be attended by the Principal or the Principal’s designee, a parent or guardian of the student, the teacher, and the student.
Following the hearing, regardless of whether all requested parties are in attendance, provided that reasonable efforts have been made to secure their participation, the Principal may take one or more of the following actions:
1. Evaluate the student’s actions and apply a program of progressive discipline measures in order to assist in teaching and correcting the behaviors that caused removal from class.
2. Suspend the student from school or class for a duration and location that is proportionate to the disciplinary infraction.
3. Assign the student to an alternative educational setting/program, if one is available.
4. Return the student to the classroom.
In cases of repeated infractions, progressive disciplinary measures may be applied in accordance with the guidelines outlined in each school student handbook, Utah law and USBE Rule. Final decisions regarding disciplinary action will be made by the school Principal. If necessary, the Superintendent and/or designee will be informed and review allegations and findings pursuant to any additional actions specific to a recommendation for disciplinary action by the school board, including expulsion.
Prior to a recommendation for expulsion, the principal will request a hearing before the District Discipline Review Committee. The District Discipline Review Committee is authorized to make decisions prior to expulsion in order to facilitate additional considerations that may assist in a program of improved student conduct, including school transfers.
Corporal Punishment—
A school employee may not inflict or cause the infliction of corporal punishment upon a student.
Utah Admin. Rules R277-608-7 (March 10, 2025)
Utah Code § 53G-8-301(5)(a) (2025)
The term “corporal punishment” means the intentional infliction of physical pain upon the body of a student as a disciplinary measure.
Utah Code § 53G-8-301(1)(a) (2025)
Appropriate Conduct—
“Physical restraint” means a personal restriction that immobilizes or significantly reduces the ability of a student to move the student’s arms, legs, body, or head freely.
A school employee may use reasonable and necessary physical restraint only:
1. in self-defense;
2. to obtain possession of a weapon or other dangerous object in the possession or under the control of a student;
3. to protect a student or another individual from physical injury; or
4. to remove from a situation a student who is violent; or
5. to protect property from being damaged, when physical safety is at risk.
A school employee shall first use the least restrictive intervention available to the employee, including a physical escort, to address these types of circumstances. (A “physical escort” is temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back for the purpose of guiding a student to another location.)
Policy FHAF sets forth specific provisions governing the use of physical restraint with students.
Utah Code § 53G-8-301(1)(c), (d), (2), (4) (2025)
An employee of the District may not be subjected to any sanction for failure or refusal to commit an act prohibited by this policy.
Utah Code § 53G-8-301(10)(a) (2024)
Policy DDA regarding child abuse reporting shall apply to complaints made to the District regarding improper or unauthorized use of corporal punishment.
Utah Code § 53G-8-301(5)(b) (2025)
Limitation—
This policy does not restrict the use of physical contact which is considered to be reasonable discipline for purposes of behavior reduction intervention and which is also in compliance with state regulations and District policies adopted pursuant to Utah Code § 53E-7-204 regarding provision of education for students with disabilities.
Disciplinary Record—
Disciplinary records shall be made available to parents/legal guardians or the student, whichever is appropriate, pursuant to the District's student records policy.
Collection and Reporting of Incident Data—
School personnel shall collect data regarding incidents which occur on school grounds while school is in session or during a school-sponsored activity and which involve (1) suspension or expulsion of a student, or other formal school discipline (2) minors found in possession of a dangerous weapon, or (3) “law enforcement action” (defined below).
For this reporting requirement, “law enforcement action” means a significant law enforcement interaction with a minor, including (1) a search and seizure by a law enforcement officer (including a school resource officer), (2) issuance of a citation, (3) filing a delinquency petition, indictment, or criminal information, (4) referral to juvenile court, or (5) use of force by a law enforcement officer.
The report of the incident shall also include information on the student or minor’s age, grade level, race, sex, disability status, and youth in care designation. If applicable, the report shall also include the demographics of a student who is subject to student bullying, hazing, cyber-bullying, or retaliation (as defined in Policy FHA). To collect the data, school personnel shall use the form established by the State Superintendent in consultation with law enforcement agencies.
The District shall report the data to the State Superintendent in a timely manner as required by the State Superintendent. The District shall report the data compiled for each school year to the State Superintendent on or before September 1 of the year in which the school year ended.
Utah Admin. Rules R277-912-2 (April 9, 2024)
Notice of rules—
A copy of the rules and procedures shall be made available to all students at the time of their enrollment in the school. If a school makes significant changes to its discipline rules and procedures, written notice of the adopted and revised discipline rules and procedures shall be distributed to all new and continuing students. In the case of all new, continuing or transfer students, a copy of the rules and procedures shall be mailed to the student's parents.
Utah Code § 53G-8-204(2) (2024)
Board review of school discipline rules—
Prior to the first week of August each year, school principals or their designee shall submit for approval a copy of the school handbook that includes school discipline rules and procedures for Board approval. The Board shall review the rules and procedures filed by each school and may require the school to modify any rule or procedure that is not consistent with Board policy or state statutes on discipline in the public schools.
Previous Revision: 3 March 2010