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Code of Conduct

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Athletic/Activities Code of Conduct
BSD Procedure 2151P

Preamble

The Bellevue School District (the District) is committed to ensuring an environment where all student participants (participants) have every opportunity to engage in programs aligned with the District’s Vision, Values, and Purpose for athletics and activities. It is also important to remember participation in extra-curricular programs is not an entitlement. The district is  committed to equitable access to extra-curricular activities for each and every participant and when necessary, an equitable application of corrective action(s) for participants at the discretion of building administrators (Principals or Assistant Principals) and/or Athletic/Activity Director.

Corrective actions will be consistent with the District’s mission and goals and in the best interest of students. The building administrators (Principals or Assistant Principals) and/or  athletic/Activity Director will ensure that corrective action is consistent, fair and balanced; progressive in nature; and considers the developmental level of the participant.

The Athletic/Activities Code of Conduct (“the Code”) takes effect when a participant enrolls in any of the District’s high school athletic and/or activity programs and ends when the participant graduates from any one of the District’s high schools. Violations under the Code throughout a participant’s high school years will lead to progressive corrective action(s), in terms of severity up to removal from extra-curricular programs. Each school, program, and activity will notify all participants about the Code, its requirements and corrective actions on an annual basis.

Implementation of Corrective Action and Process

Participants who exhibit any of the behaviors that rise to the level of exceptional misconduct as defined in Policy 3241 and Procedure 3241 (Classroom Management, Discipline and Corrective Action) may be subject to corrective action under the Code.

  1. If there is a reasonable belief a participant violated the Code, and the violation made known to an employee of the Bellevue School District, the allegation must be reported to a building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director.
  2. Any reported allegation of a potential violation will result in an investigation. At minimum, the investigation will include:
    • a. An opportunity for the affected participant to explain his/her involvement to a building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director. Prior to the affected participant explaining his/her involvement, the building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director will ask if the affected participant wishes to have a trusted adult with them throughout the report and investigation.
    • b. A review of any previous corrective actions relating to the affected participant.
    • c. Interviews with others (students, staff members, coaches, etc.) who may have knowledge of the alleged incident.
    • d. An interview with the parent/guardian, as appropriate.
    • e. The building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director may determine that other steps must be taken before the investigation is complete.
  3. If concluded that the participant did violate the Code, the building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director may determine an appropriate corrective action in consultation with the District Athletic and Activities Director as appropriate. The corrective action will be commensurate with the nature of the extra-curricular activity, the participant’s offense, honesty, and his/her own conduct, and/or other relevant factors.
    • a. Corrective action(s) applied under the Code are to be interpreted in a way that would not limit the application of disciplinary corrective action that would otherwise be imposed under other applicable policies and procedures when appropriate.
    • b. A participant who wishes to appeal the imposition of a corrective action under the Code may appeal pursuant to Section D (Appeals of a Corrective Action) of the Code.
  4. If concluded that the participant did violate the Code, the building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director will provide the participant and parent/guardian a written record of the corrective action imposed on the student participant. The written record will include at minimum the behavior that led to the corrective action, the corrective action, and applicable appeal rights. Records of corrective action imposed on a participant under the Code are maintained in the same manner as any other student  information.
  5. Should a corrective action under the Code be applicable for a co-curricular activity that is part of a credit course for grade (examples include drama, music, journalism, art), or other school approved activities as defined in Policy 2150 (Co-Curricular Program), the building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) will determine an appropriate corrective action. The corrective action will only be for the cocurricular event portion of the activity commensurate with the nature of the co-curricular activity, the student’s offense, honesty, and his/her own conduct, and/or other relevant factors.
  6. If a student commits an infraction of the Code, but is not currently involved in a sport/activity, the building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director will determine an appropriate corrective action. The building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director will then:
    • a. Either apply a corrective action with a completion date PRIOR to the next sports season in which the student participates.
      • Note: If the student does not participate in a sport/activity within a calendar year, no corrective action will be applied.
      • Note: Participation is defined as follows: the student must report for try-outs and complete the season in order to serve the corrective action that has been imposed.
    • b. Or apply the corrective action to the next consecutive sports season in which the student participates.
  7. Corrective actions apply to the sport and the activity if the student participates in both concurrently during a given school year.
  8. If a corrective action imposed on a student participant overlaps with a period of ineligibility in a sport or activity (for reasons including but not limited to grades, injury, or practice requirements), the corrective action does not begin after the period of ineligibility. Instead, the building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director will determine an appropriate corrective action commensurate with the nature of the extra-curricular activity, the student’s offense, honesty, and his/her own conduct, and/or other relevant factors.

Alcohol, Drugs, and Other Mood Altering Substances

Under Administrative Procedure 2151P (Interscholastic Activities), students who participate in athletics and/or activities are expected to refrain from the unlawful use of alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and controlled substances.

Any unlawful use of controlled substances, alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco is a violation of the Code.
Definitions:

  1. “Drug” means any controlled substance, as defined by the Uniform Controlled Substances Act (RCW 69.50), any drug that requires a prescription (so-called “legend drugs”), and any “look alike” drug or substance believed to be or represented as being a drug or controlled substance; and any food item with illegal drugs and/or alcohol contained within.
  2. “Alcohol” includes any beverage, mixture, or preparation containing alcohol.
  3. “Intoxicant” means any other chemical substance (including industrial chemicals and over-the-counter medications) when used contrary to directions or warnings to affect the user’s perception, behavior, or mood, excluding tobacco and caffeine; and
  4. “Drug paraphernalia” means all equipment, products, materials of any kind which are used, intended for use, or designated for use in introducing into the human body a drug, alcohol, or intoxicant.

Corrective actions for offenses related to Drugs and/or Alcohol are set forth below and are to be implemented as follows:

First Offense

Corrective Action: While considering corrective action for a drug/alcohol offense, the building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director will contact the District Athletic and Activities Director before imposing corrective action as appropriate. Corrective actions specific to drugs and/or alcohol offenses are as follows:

Paraphernalia without Possession (first offense):

  • Required: Student schedules a meeting with a drug and alcohol counselor within three school days and follow through with meeting
    • Note: Failure to follow through with scheduled meeting will result in the participant receiving corrective action for possession
  • Notify parent/guardian
  • Consider safety/behavior plan that includes accessing of applicable support services
  • A maximum suspension of 20% of season contests or performance events. Decisions regarding suspension from contests/events should be commensurate with the nature of the extra-curricular activity, the student’s offense, honesty, and his/her own conduct, and/or other relevant factors.

Possession (first offense):

  • Required: Student schedules a drug and alcohol assessment within three school days and follows through with both the assessment and any recommendations.
    • Note: Failure to follow through with the assessment and/or follow through with assessment recommendations will result in immediate removal from all activity until the assessment is completed. Removal occurs if the building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director reasonably believes the student is an immediate and continuing danger to himself/herself, other students, staff, or administrators or is a substantial disruption to the educational process of the district.
  • Notify law enforcement
  • Consider safety/behavior plan, to include accessing of applicable support services
  • A maximum suspension of 30% of season contests or performance events. Decisions regarding suspension from contests/events should be commensurate with the nature of the extra-curricular activity, the student’s offense, honesty, and his/her own conduct, and/or other relevant factors.

Use (first offense):

  • Immediate removal from all activity provided the principal reasonably believes the student is an immediate and continuing danger to himself/herself, other students, staff, or administrators or is a substantial disruption to the educational process of the district for a maximum of ten days.
  • Required: Student schedules drug and alcohol assessment within three school days and follows through with both the assessment and any recommendations.
    • Note: Failure to follow through with the assessment and/or follow through with assessment recommendations will result in immediate removal from all activity until the assessment is completed. Removal occurs if the building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director reasonably believes the student is an immediate and continuing danger to himself/herself, other students, staff, or administrators or is a substantial disruption to the educational process of the district.
  • Notify law enforcement
  • Consider safety/behavior plan, to include accessing of applicable support services
  • A maximum suspension of 50% of season contests or performance events. Decisions regarding suspension from contests/events should be commensurate with the nature of the extra-curricular activity, the student’s offense, honesty, and his/her own conduct, and/or other relevant factors.

Intent to distribute or distribution (first offense):

  • Immediate removal from all activity provided the building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director reasonably believes the student is an immediate and continuing danger to himself/herself, other students, staff, or administrators or is a substantial disruption to the educational process of the district for a maximum of ten days.
  • Required: Student schedules drug and alcohol assessment within three school days and follows through with both the assessment and any recommendations.
    • Note: Failure to follow through with the assessment and/or follow through with assessment recommendations will result in immediate removal from all activity until the assessment is completed. Removal occurs if the building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director reasonably believes the student is an immediate and continuing danger to himself/herself, other students, staff, or administrators or is a substantial disruption to the educational process of the district.
  • Notify law enforcement
  • Require safety/behavior plan, to include accessing of applicable support services
  • A maximum suspension of 100% of season contests or performance events. Decisions regarding suspension from contests/events should be commensurate with the nature of the extra-curricular activity, the student’s offense, honesty, and his/her own conduct, and/or other relevant factors.

Second (or greater) Offense

Any second or greater offense for drug and/or alcohol throughout a student’s grade 9-12 enrollment in a District school, with the exception of distribution, would take into consideration the original offense. While considering corrective action for a second or greater drug/alcohol offense, the building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director will contact the District Athletic and Activities Director. The following list is a menu of possible corrective actions to apply in a second (or greater) offense. The corrective action taken will depend on the circumstances and any previous alcohol, drug or other mood altering substances offenses a student has previously committed. The building administrator (Principal or Assistant Principal) and/or Athletic/Activity Director may apply multiple actions for any one offense.

  • Parent conference
  • Required drug/alcohol assessment and follow-through with all recommendations
  • Release of Information with assessment provider
  • Implementation of a safety or behavior plan
  • Referral to Guidance Team
  • Law enforcement as appropriate
  • CPS notification as appropriate
  • Suspension from regularly scheduled practices and/or meetings as appropriate
  • Suspension from regularly scheduled competitions and/or performances as appropriate
  • For participants found in violation of controlled substance or legend drug use a second time, a maximum suspension from all participation in BSD athletic and/or activity programming for one (1) calendar year. Decisions regarding suspension from BSD programming should be commensurate with the nature of the extra-curricular activity, the student’s offense, honesty, and his/her own conduct, and/or other relevant factors.
  • Required Corrective Action for athletes found in violation of controlled substance or legend drug use a second time: removal from all WIAA sanctioned competitions for one (1) calendar year. (WIAA Rule 18.25.00)
  • For participants found in violation of controlled substance or legend drug use a third time, a maximum action of permanent removal from all BSD athletic and/or activity programming. Decisions regarding permanent removal from BSD programming should be commensurate with the nature of the extra-curricular activity, the student’s offense, honesty, and his/her own conduct, and/or other relevant factors.
  • Required Corrective Action for athletes found in violation of controlled substance or legend drug use a third time: permanent removal from all WIAA sanctioned competitions. (WIAA Rule 18.25.00)

Appeals of a Corrective Action

A student athlete who wishes to appeal the imposition of this corrective action may appeal the decision at the school level through the following means:

  1. The first level of appeal is with the building principal.
    • a. The participant and/or parent/guardian must request an appeal conference with the Principal in writing.
    • b. The participant and/or parent/guardian must include the corrective action that is the basis of the appeal in their written request.
    • c. The Principal will schedule an appeal conference, the purpose of which is to listen to the reason and rationale for the appeal.
    • d. The Principal will provide the participant and parent/guardian a written record of their decision related to the appeal.
      • The written record will include at minimum the behavior that led to the corrective action, the corrective action, the reason(s) and rationale for the appeal, and the Principal’s decision.
  2. If the school decision was made by the Principal, was upheld by the Principal, or the participant is not satisfied with the decision at the first level of appeal, the participant may file a second level appeal with the District Athletic and Activities Director.
    • a. The participant and/or parent/guardian must request an appeal conference with the District Athletic and Activities Director in writing.
    • b. The participant and/or parent/guardian must include the corrective action that is the basis of the appeal in their written request.
    • c. The District Athletic and Activities Director will schedule an appeal conference, the purpose of which is to listen to the reason and rationale for the appeal.
    • d. The District Athletic and Activities Director will provide the participant and parent/guardian a written record of their decision related to the appeal.
      • The written record will include at minimum the behavior that led to the corrective action, the corrective action, the reason(s) and rationale for the appeal, and the District Activities and Athletics Director’s decision.
  3. If the participant is not satisfied with the decision made by the District Athletic and Activities Director at the second level of appeal, the participant may file a final appeal with the District’s Disciplinary Appeal Council (DAC) and is entitled to due process rights outlined in WAC 392-400-240 (Discipline – Grievance procedure).

NOTE: If the appeal relates to a second (or higher) violation of controlled substance use and the participant competes in a sport sanctioned by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), and the participant wishes to gain eligibility for competition, then the participant must file a second appeal directly to the Executive Director of the WIAA.

NOTE: A student does not retain the ability to participate in any capacity in the program/activity while awaiting an appeal of a corrective action. While waiting for an appeal hearing, the corrective action in question remains in place.

Athletics & Activities
The Bellevue School District acknowledges that we learn, work, live and gather on the Indigenous Land of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Duwamish and Snoqualmie Tribes. We thank these caretakers of this land, who have lived and continue to live here, since time immemorial.