(This code does not prohibit a school principal from developing individual school policies and procedures for the maintenance of discipline within a school.  Individual school policy shall conform to Federal and State Law and Hamilton County School Board Policy indicated within this code.)

A.     Zero Tolerance Offenses

1.  Bringing to school or in unauthorized possession on school property of a firearm, explosive or incendiary device, poison gas, bomb, grenade, rocket, missile, mine or similar device.  (A firearm is defined as any weapon which will or is designed to or may be readily converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive.)

2.  Committing battery upon any teacher, principal, administrator, on any other employee of a local education agency or school resource officer.

3.  Unlawfully possessing any controlled substance or legend drug.  A controlled substance is any drug included in state law as a Schedule I, II, III, IV, V, VI or VII substance.  A legend drug is any item which federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription from a licensed doctor, dentist, optometrist or veterinarian.

4.  These offenses require that the student be expelled for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year, except that superintendent may modify this expulsion on a case-by-case basis.  Expulsion means removed from the pupils regular school program at the location where the violation occurred or removed from school attendance altogether.

B.     Other Offenses Which May Result in Year-Long Suspension

The following acts may result in at least a calendar year suspension or a lesser suspension depending on the circumstances of the incident:

1.  Possession of a knife or any other device with a sharp blade attached, club, knuckles or any instrument which is capable of inflicting injury to or disabling another individual.

2.  Possessing, transferring or receiving drug paraphernalia.

3.  Possessing, transferring, receiving or using any substance which the student indicates or understands to be a substance which is controlled in any manner by state or federal law.

4.  Possessing, transferring or receiving non-prescription drugs.

The Superintendent or his designee may modify a long-term suspension on a case-by-case basis.  For purposes of this section, possession means actual physical control of the device or substance or the ability to exercise control over the device or substance.  This includes possession of the device or substance on school property, a school bus or at a school sponsored event or activity.