While recognizing that students may require disciplinary action in various forms, the Board of Education cannot condone the use of unreasonable force and fear as an appropriate procedure in student discipline.

Professional staff should not find it necessary to resort to physical force or violence to compel obedience. If all other means fail, staff members may request removal of the student from the classroom or school through suspension or expulsion procedures.

Professional staff as well as support staff, within the scope of their employment, may use and apply reasonable force and restraint to quell a disturbance threatening physical injury to others, to obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects upon or within the control of the student, in self-defense, or for the protection of persons or property.

In accordance with state law, corporal punishment shall not be permitted. If any employee inflicts unnecessary, unreasonable, irrational, or inappropriate force upon a student, s/he may be subject to discipline 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.

The Superintendent shall provide administrative guidelines which shall include a list of alternatives to corporal punishment.

M.C.L.A. 380.1312