Bans from Campus & School Activities
Did you know you have legal protections when dealing with disruptive or threatening guests?
December 3, 2018
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Did you know you have legal protections when dealing with disruptive or threatening guests?
Lately I’ve been receiving more calls regarding patrons or parents causing substantial disruptions at school or during athletic events. The situations vary, but the conduct in all cases crosses a line, going beyond mere disagreement with a school official. Fortunately, administrators have statutory protections for dealing with these matters.
70 O.S. Section 24-131 permits the superintendent or principal to order anyone off school property in the event the person’s continued presence there threatens the peaceful conduct of school business or classes. This protection also extends beyond the school grounds to school activities or field trips where students are present. Refusal to follow an order to leave may result in a misdemeanor conviction consisting of jail time (up to 90 days), a fine (up to$500), or both.
Another statute, 70 O.S. Section 24-131.2, grants administrators similar authority to remove disruptive persons from school athletic events when their continued bad behavior materially and substantially interferes with the peaceful conduct of a sanctioned school athletic event. Examples of conduct warranting removal include throwing things, using profanity or obscenity, entering the playing area and making threats.
If the situation warrants, bans from campus may extend six months, per 21 O.S. Section 1376. However, the law requires boards to have a written policy and procedure to be followed in such cases. The person removed must be given notice of the policy and an opportunity to appeal the administration’s decision.
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Passion! As educators, we know that some of our best lessons come from the most unexpected places, but we definitely have to have our ears and hearts open to absorb these great musings.
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