5630 - ALTERNATIVES TO CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

Board policy defines corporal punishment as the deliberate infliction of physical pain by hitting, paddling, spanking, slapping, or any other physical force used as means of discipline. District personnel shall not threaten to inflict, or cause to be inflicted corporal punishment on any student.

Staff members shall not:

1. hit, strike, grab, punch, or inflict other bodily pain on a student;
2. restrict a student's movement by using physical restraint, unless specified in an I.E.P. and student’s behavior presents a clear, present and imminent risk to the physical safety of the student or others;
3. deprive a student of meals, snack, rest, or necessary toilet use;
4. confine a student in an enclosed area such as a closet, locked room, box, or similar cubicle;
5. cause any of the above to occur.

Staff may, however, provide for a "time-out" area as a disciplinary procedure.

The following alternatives to the use of corporal punishment are recommended. As formerly with corporal punishment, these alternatives should also be viewed as last resort options when well-executed school and classroom management practices have not been effective. The principal has the authority to:

1. deny participation in special school and/or noncurricular-related activities;
2. assign before or after school detention;
3. assign in-school restriction or Saturday school;
4. assign out-of-school suspension;
5. confer with parents on sanctions which will be established both at school and at home or contractual agreements or restorative practices;
6. refer the student to a school counselor, a social worker, psychologist, and/or clinical specialists;
7. coordinate District services with social-service agencies such as Public Health, Social Services, Mental Health, etc., and/or with private institutions or agencies offering related appropriate services, providing there is no cost to the District;
8. arrange for a proper evaluation under Section 504 or IDEA, if there is reason to believe the student's behavior is related to a disability.

It is essential that any of the above alternatives that involve disciplinary actions be conducted in accordance with due process. (See Policy 5611)

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