It is a privilege and an honor to be able to participate in co-curricular/extra-curricular programs and represent the Forest City School District. The student body and the school are judged by the participant’s character and conduct at all times. Middle School-High School students serve as a model to many people and their attitude has an important impact on others. Any student whose habits and conduct, in and out of school, during the school year and during the summer, are not consistent with the ideals, principles and standards of the Forest City School District shall be declared ineligible for participation in competitions and/or performances.
The list of Co-Curricular/Extra-Curricular Activities is:
- Non-Athletic: Archery, Band (any competition or honor band), Dance Team, FFA, Science Club, Speech, Student Council, Drama, Vocal Music (any competition or honor choir), WarWhoop, Future Problem Solvers, Literary Magazine, Quiz Bowl, Yearbook or Mathcounts.
- Athletic: Football, Volleyball, Cross Country, Swimming, Cheerleading, Basketball, Wrestling, Bowling, Track, Golf, Baseball, and Softball.
- The above list may not be inclusive of all school-related activities/athletics that a student may become ineligible to participate should they be under a Good Conduct Violation.
Good Conduct Violations:
- A violation of the Good Conduct Policy shall include, but not be limited to, the use or possession of alcoholic beverages, tobacco (including look-alikes, ex. e-cigarettes), or a controlled substance, as defined by the Iowa Code (204).
- Violations of the Good Conduct Policy shall include any violation of the Iowa Criminal Code, excluding minor traffic violations, curfew violations, or minor hunting and fishing violations regardless of whether or not an arrest or conviction occurs.
- Violations of the Good Conduct Policy will be determined by a school official. The student will become a Good Conduct Policy violator if a preponderance of the evidence is found to establish a violation.
- Repeatedly violating school policy or rules or committing a serious violation of school policies or rules or engaging in material disruption of school and/or school activities.
- Engaging in conduct off school grounds that harasses, threatens, intimidates, or assaults another individual whether or not criminal charges are filed.
- Any student declared ineligible under the prior school district’s Good Conduct Rule, and then without having completed the full period of ineligibility at that school transfers to Forest City High School, may not be eligible for interscholastic competition at Forest City High School until the full period of ineligibility has been completed.
Consequences:
First Offense:
- Students who violate the Good Conduct Policy will become ineligible for ⅕ of their current/next athletic season and 2 events for non-athletic/activity events. If applicable, the student will develop a plan of restitution approved by the parent/guardian, school administration and the student. The student will also be responsible to schedule and complete three (3) counseling sessions through area hospitals, the juvenile probation officer, pastor, or a school designee. The counselor must be approved by a local school administrator prior to the sessions starting. Students will pay for any cost or fees. Both the approved restitution plan and the counseling sessions must be completed prior to reinstatement of eligibility.
Second Offense:
- The student will become ineligible for ⅔ of their next athletic season and the next 4 non-athletic events that the students are scheduled to participate in and complete (3) counseling sessions the additional evaluation and treatment in accordance with the provisions set out above for the first offense violation. (See First Offense for counseling guidelines).
All Other Offenses:
- The student will become ineligible for (1) calendar year from all athletic/non-athletic competition or performance.
- If a student begins an athletic/non-athletic season, he/she must complete that season in “good standing” in order for the contests/events to count toward the period of ineligibility.
- A student, who is ineligible, may practice with their team, music group or speech/drama section, or their club. The student may also travel with the team or group, as long as the coach or sponsor has granted permission, to a contest but may not be in uniform (must be in street clothes) and may only perform tasks as assigned by the coach/sponsor.
The District retains full discretion depending on the nature and severity of the conduct to deviate from the progressive penalties outlined above. The District reserves the right to use its discretion in determining the severity or seriousness of any offense and also reserves the right to use discretion in determining the consequences to be imposed for any violation, based on the facts and circumstances of each situation. By way of example, a first-time incident of felonious conduct may result in penalties greater than those outlined for a first offense. Additionally, nothing in this policy precludes the District from applying its Policy 501.3 Student Conduct Policy, as applicable, to conduct off school grounds which materially and substantially disrupts the orderly operations of the school and the maintenance of a safe educational environment.
Due Process Procedures:
Notification
A student who has allegedly violated the Good Conduct Rule will be notified of the alleged violation, the information that supports the allegations and will be given the opportunity to respond. Upon a review of all of the evidence and circumstances, an administrator will make a decision regarding the alleged violation of the Good Conduct Rule and determine the period of ineligibility.
Whenever a student is declared ineligible under the Good Conduct Rule, the following procedures shall apply:
- A conference will be held with an administrator and the student. At that time, the length of the period of ineligibility and a specific explanation of the reasons for the ineligibility will be discussed. The offense and the consequences will thereafter be put in writing and sent to the student and parents/guardians.
- If the student or parents/guardians do not wish to appeal the decision, the decision will be in effect and will be considered final.
Implementation of Consequence
- If the suspension occurs at a point in the season where the number of competitions remaining is less than the number of competitions in the suspension, the suspension will carry over into the next activity the student participates in. Post-season activities will be counted towards satisfying the terms of the suspension.
- No suspension sanctions will be applied to co-curricular activities that are graded.
- Generally, violations of the policy in Middle School are not carried over to the High School; however, the district retains full discretion to carry over violations dependent on the timing and the severity or seriousness of the offense.
Appeal Process:
If an administrator(s) determine that a student has violated the Good Conduct Code and is, therefore, ineligible to participate in co-curricular or extracurricular activities for a certain period of time, the student shall have the right to appeal such determination to the Board of Directors in accordance with the following provisions:
- During the appeal procedure, the student will be ineligible to participate in any extracurricular activities.
- Within seven (7) days after the date on which the administrator(s) deliver to the student the notice of violation of the Good Conduct Code, and not later, the student or the student’s parent or other representative shall deliver to the President of the Board of Directors a written notice of appeal stating the students’ objections to the administrator determination and requesting an oral hearing thereon before the Board of Directors.
- The President shall schedule a meeting of the Board of Directors for a time within twenty (20 days) after receipt of the written notice of appeal and shall in not less than five (5) days give written notice of such meeting to the student.
- The Board of Directors at such meeting shall first hear evidence and statements presented by the administrator(s) and then by the student or student’s parent or other representative. Such hearing shall be conducted as an informal administrator process and shall not be governed by any formal rules of evidence or procedure. The Board of Directors shall not be required to afford the student an opportunity to confront or cross-examine witnesses by compulsory process to give testimony at such hearing.
- The Board of Directors shall consider all evidence and state presented at such hearing and shall make written findings of its decision within five (5) days of such hearing. A copy of the decision shall be mailed forthwith to the student. The decision of the Board of Directors shall contain findings as to whether the administrator(s) determination was correct or shall be reversed.
Legal Reference:
Bunger v. Iowa High School Athletic Assn., 197 N.W.2d 555 (Iowa 1972).
In re Jason Clark, 1 D.P.I. App. Dec. 167 (1978).
Iowa Code §§ 280.13, .13A.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(6); 36.15(1).
Cross Reference:
502 Student Rights and Responsibilities
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
Approved:1-8-24
Reviewed: _____
Revised: ____
