5630 - CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
While recognizing that students may require disciplinary action in various forms, the Board does not condone the use of unreasonable force and fear as an appropriate procedure in student discipline.
No official, employee, or agent of the Board may subject a student enrolled in the School District to corporal punishment, including resorting to physical force or violence to compel obedience. If all other means fail, officials, employees, or agents of the Board may always resort to the removal of the student from the classroom or school through suspension, expulsion, or other disciplinary intervention.
Officials, employees, or agents of the Board may use:
reasonable and necessary force to quell a disturbance or prevent an act that threatens physical injury to any person;
reasonable and necessary force to obtain possession of a weapon or other dangerous object within a student's control;
reasonable and necessary force for the purpose of self-defense or the defense of others under 939.48, Wis. Stats.;
reasonable and necessary force for the protection of property under 939.49 Wis. Stats.;
reasonable and necessary force to remove a disruptive student from a school premises or motor vehicle, as defined in 125.09(2)(a)1. and 4., Wis. Stats., or from school-related activities;
reasonable and necessary force to prevent a student from inflicting harm on himself/herself;
reasonable and necessary force to protect the safety of others;
incidental, minor, or reasonable physical contact designed to maintain order and control.
In accordance with State law, corporal punishment shall not be permitted. If any official, employee, or agent of the Board intentionally inflicts, or causes to be inflicted, physical pain by hitting, paddling, spanking, slapping, forcing prolonged maintenance of physically-painful positions, or makes use of any other kind of physical force as a means of disciplining a student, s/he may be subject to discipline up to and including discharge by this Board and possibly criminal assault charges as well. This prohibition applies as well to volunteers and those with whom the District contracts for services.
In determining whether or not a person was acting within the exceptions noted above, if appropriate, deference may be given to reasonable, good faith judgments made by District employees or agents.
The corporal punishment policy and statute shall be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the State law and policy governing the use of seclusion and restraint.
Revised 10/24/18
© Neola 2020