Introduction

Purpose

The Prince William County School Board (School Board) expects a high standard of student conduct in an effort to ensure that education is provided in an atmosphere conducive to learning, free of disruption and threat to person or property, and supportive of individual rights. The School Board has adopted the Code of Behavior to establish rules and expectations for student behavior. The Code of Behavior describes prohibited behavior and the discipline process throughout the school division.

Introduction

The Virginia Constitution confers upon a local school board the authority to supervise the operation of the public schools under the school board’s control. This authority includes the power to supervise and discipline students.

The School Board seeks to protect the right of all its students to an education commensurate with their abilities, interests, values, and goals by providing safeguards for the health, safety, and rights of the individual student and school employee, and for the protection of school property.

However, the task of training and educating youth must be shared by all members of the school community — students, professional teaching staff, administrators, specialized instructional support personnel, and families —who all bear the responsibility to equitably support the rules of the school and the integrity of the educational process.

It is the duty of the parent/guardian to prepare the child to assume responsibility in the school environment, including the responsibility for learning and exhibiting conduct that does not infringe upon the safety and rights of another. The school has the right to expect reasonable and self-disciplined behavior from each student. Since self-discipline cannot be imposed from without, students must be permitted a degree of freedom of choice and action to develop their individual talents and abilities.

Code of Virginia § 22.1-78 states: “A school board may adopt bylaws and regulations ... including but not limited to the proper discipline of students, including their conduct going to and returning from school.” The School Board’s rules governing student conduct are summarized in the Code of Behavior (COB) and are also addressed in the School Board’s policies and Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) regulations.

For good cause, the Superintendent of Schools may approve a deviation from the procedures outlined in the COB in its present form, so long as the basic rights of students, parent(s)/guardian(s), the community at large, and/or school personnel are not violated. For example, a deviation for good cause from the procedures outlined in this document could include designating a central office administrator to make disciplinary decisions in place of the school principal or other member of the school’s administrative team where the student’s misconduct was directed at the school administrators to avoid any bias, or appearance of bias, in the disciplinary decision.

Note: “Parent(s),” as used throughout, means biological parent(s), adoptive parent(s), or legal guardian(s). For purposes of this publication, references to “School Board” should be understood to indicate the Prince William County School Board.

Authority to Impose Discipline For On Campus and Certain Off Campus Misconduct

PWCS has authority to discipline students for misconduct in violation of the Code of Behavior and PWCS policies and regulations governing student conduct when the misconduct occurs while the student is:

• Present at school, participating in virtual instruction, while participating in school-sponsored activities, including field trips, regardless of location. At school includes, but is not limited to, any property or facilities owned or operated by or under the control of the School Board or on its behalf or by its agent, regional facilities jointly operated by or on behalf of two or more school divisions or under the control of their agent, and classrooms or instructional settings provided by colleges or universities in connection with instruction to PWCS students.
• On school buses or transportation provided by PWCS and at bus stops.
• On the way to and from school or bus stops that interferes with another student’s ability to.
• At other off-campus locations when the student is outside the supervision of school authorities if the misconduct has a material effect on the operation or general welfare of the school division; impacts the integrity of the educational process; threatens the safety and welfare of students, staff, or school property; or otherwise invades the rights of students or staff.
  • In cases involving off-site, school-sponsored activities such as field trips, sporting events, and club activities.

PWCS Elevate 2030 Strategic Plan

PWCS Elevate 2030 is all about cultivating a future-focused division aimed toward global competency, personalized and adaptive learning, and teacher empowerment. PWCS envisions every student will graduate on time with the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to create a thriving future for themselves and their community. Elevate 2030 builds upon the foundation set by Vision 2025. PWCS’ core values of Equity, Inclusivity, Innovation, Integrity, Resiliency, and Well-Being—those tenets that brought stability to the previous plan—will remain constant. PWCS has deepened its commitment to learning and achievement for all, creating a positive climate and culture, family and community engagement, and organizational coherence.

Through the division wide use of Restorative Practices, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and developing Educator Cultural Competency aligned with the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) standards, PWCS will provide a learning environment that fosters connectedness ,promotes a sense of belonging, and encourages social and emotional wellness for all students.