The Akron Central School District is committed to providing a safe, orderly, predictable educational environment that promotes teaching and advances learning without disruption or interference. Accordingly, the District has developed a comprehensive Code of Conduct in collaboration with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and school safety personnel. This Code of Conduct was adopted by the Akron Board of Education in July 2011, revised several times, including most recently in September 2023. Below is a summary of the Code of Conduct.  View the complete version by clicking HERE.

The Akron School District Code of Conduct is intended to: 

•    encourage appropriate behavior;
•    insure the safety and security of all members of the school community;
•    promote a safe and effective learning environment. 

The Code governs the conduct of students, school personnel, parents, and other visitors while on school property or attending school functions. It includes the range of penalties that may be imposed for code violations and defines the roles of essential partners (teachers, administrators, other school personnel, the Board of Education, and parents) in maintaining safe, orderly schools. 

Students Rights and Responsibilities 

The District is committed to safeguarding the rights given to all students under state and federal law. In addition, to promote a safe, healthy, orderly, and civil school environment, all District students have certain rights and responsibilities.   

Role of Essential Partners 

The Code of Conduct sets forth certain specific roles related to maintaining safe, orderly schools for parents, teachers, guidance counselors, principals, the superintendent, and the Board of Education.

A.  Parents
    

All parents are expected to:

1. Recognize that the education of their child(ren) is a joint responsibility of the parents and the school community. 
   

2. Establish positive working relationships with school personnel and other families.
   

3. Ensure their children attend school regularly on time, ready to participate and learn. 
   

4. Ensure absences are minimal and for reasons that are legally excusable.

• Akron Central School District is committed to ensuring each child’s regular participation in their education through their attendance. Failure to comply with building attendance policies may result in mandatory meetings with building administration, school social workers, and essential school personnel. 

5. Ensure their child is dressed and groomed in a manner consistent with the student dress code and conducive to learning.
   

6. Help their children understand that in a democratic society, appropriate rules are required to maintain a safe, orderly environment according to the “Code.”
   

7. Know and support school rules and help their children understand them. Lead by example and conduct themselves in a courteous, respectful manner.
   

8. Convey to their children a supportive attitude toward education and the district.
   

9. Provide school with proper contact information, including phone numbers where they can be reached.
   

10. Help their children deal effectively with peer pressure in accordance with the “Code.”
    

11. Exemplify an enthusiastic attitude towards school and education by acquainting themselves with their child’s school, staff, curriculum, and activities. This may include attending parent/teacher conferences, meetings, school functions, and contacting staff regarding concerns. 
    

12. Inform school officials of changes in home situations that may affect student conduct or performance.
    

13. Provide a place for study and ensure homework assignments are completed.
    

14. Demonstrate dependability, integrity, and other standards of ethical conduct, including monitoring their child’s online activity (ex. Social media) and encouraging students to be responsible in their use of electronic communication. 
    

15. Exemplify and teach their children respect and dignity for themselves, and other students regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, or sex, which will strengthen the child's confidence and promote learning in accordance with the Dignity for All Students Act.
    

16. Model behavior that is free from harassment or discrimination. 
    

17. Report any school-related concerns to a building administrator.
    

B.  Teachers/Support Personnel

All District teachers and support personnel are expected to:

1. Maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity for all students regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, or sex, which will strengthen students’ self-concept and promote confidence to learn.
   

2. Know school policies and rules and enforce them in a fair and consistent manner.
   

3. Communicate to students and parents:
   

4. 1. Course objectives and requirements
      

5. 2. Marking/grading procedures
      

6. 3. Assignment deadlines
      

7. 4. Expectations for students
      

8. 5. Classroom discipline plan
      

9. Communicate regularly with students, parents and other teachers concerning growth and achievement.
   

10. Assist students in dealing effectively with peer pressure and emerging personal, social, and emotional issues that affect success at school. Work collaboratively to teach students about the ramifications of destructive peer pressure and teasing.
    

11. Build good relationships with their students, parents, student support staff (Social Worker, School Counselors, and Psychologists), and administrators. 
    

12. Report incidents of discrimination and harassment that are witnessed or otherwise brought to their attention to the building administrator and/or Dignity Act Coordinator (DAC) in a timely manner.
    

13. Maintain confidentiality about all personal information and educational records concerning students and their families.
    

14. Act as role models for students; maintain appropriate personal boundaries with students, and refrain from engaging in any behavior that could reasonably lead to even the appearance of impropriety. Inappropriate fraternization of staff with students is against Board of Education Policy #6180.  Employees are expected to maintain a professional, ethical relationship with students.
    

15. Be familiar with the district and building emergency and security policies and procedures, and assist in their implementation as appropriate/required. Report any school-related safety concerns to a building administrator.
    

16. Be prepared.
    

17. Confront issues of discrimination and harassment in any situation that threatens the emotional or physical health or safety of any students, school employee or any person who is lawfully on school property or at a school function.
    

18. Address personal biases that may prevent equal treatment of all students in the school or classroom setting.
    

C. School Counselors/Social Workers/School Psychologists

              All District school counselors, social workers and school psychologists are expected to:

• 1. Establish meaningful relationships that affirm and support students.
     

• 2. Assist students in coping with peer pressure and emerging personal, social and emotional challenges.
     

• 3. Initiate teacher/student/counselor conferences and parent/teacher/student/ counselor conferences, as necessary, as a way to resolve problems.
     

• 4. Regularly review with students their educational progress and career plans.
     

• 5. Provide information to assist students with career planning.
     

• 6. Encourage students to benefit from the curriculum and extracurricular programs.
     

• 7. Act as role models for students, maintain appropriate personal boundaries with students and refrain from engaging in any behavior that could reasonably lead to even the appearance of impropriety. Inappropriate fraternization of staff with students is against Board of Education Policy #6180.  Employees are expected to maintain a professional, ethical relationship with students.
     

• 8. Maintain and encourage a climate of mutual respect and dignity for all students     regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, or sex, with an understanding of appropriate appearance, language, and behavior in a school setting, which will strengthen students' self-image and promote confidence to learn.
     

• 9. Report incidents of discrimination and harassment that are witnessed or otherwise brought to the counselor's attention to the building administrator and/or Dignity Act Coordinator (DAC) in a timely manner.
     

• 10. Be familiar with the district and building emergency and security policies and procedures, and assist in their implementation as appropriate/required. Report any school-related safety concerns to a building administrator.
      

D.  Other School-Related Personnel

               All other school staff are expected to:

• 1. Follow the Code of Conduct; know, abide by and enforce school rules in a fair and consistent manner.
     

• 2. Set a good example for students and other staff by demonstrating dependability, integrity, respect and other standards of ethical conduct.
     

• 3. Assist in promoting a safe, orderly and stimulating school environment.
     

• 4. Maintain confidentiality about all personal information and education records concerning staff, students and their families.
     

• 5. Report any school-related safety concerns to a building administrator for resolution.
     

• 6. Maintain and encourage a climate of mutual respect and dignity for all students regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, or sex, with an understanding of appropriate appearance, language, and behavior in a school setting, which will strengthen students' self-image and promote confidence to learn.
     

• 7. Report incidents of discrimination and harassment that are witnessed or otherwise brought to a staff member's attention to the building administrator and/or Dignity Act Coordinator (DAC) in a timely manner.
     

• 8. Be familiar with the district and building emergency and security policies and procedures, and assist in their implementation as appropriate/required. Report any school-related safety concerns to a building administrator. 
     

E. Principals/Building Administrators

              All District principals and/or designee are expected to:

1. Promote a safe, orderly and stimulating school environment, supporting active teaching and learning.
2. Ensure that students and staff have the opportunity to communicate regularly with the principal and approach the principal for redress of student complaints/grievances.
3. Closely monitor the implementation of curriculum content and performance standards across all disciplines.
4. Support the development of and student participation in appropriate extracurricular activities.
5. Enforce the Code of Conduct and ensure that all cases are resolved promptly and fairly.
6. Act as role models for students; maintain appropriate personal boundaries with students and refrain from engaging in any behavior that could reasonably lead to even the appearance of impropriety. Inappropriate fraternization of staff with students is against Board of Education Policy #6180.  Employees are expected to maintain a professional, ethical relationship with students.

Note: Each principal shall be responsible for informing all students and their parents of the building dress code at the beginning of the school year.

7. Maintain and encourage a climate of mutual respect and dignity for all students regardless of actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, or sex, with an understanding of appropriate appearance, language, and behavior in a school setting, which will strengthen students' self-image and promote confidence to learn. 
8.  Follow up on any incidents of discrimination and harassment that are witnessed 
    or   
9. otherwise brought to the Principal's attention in a timely manner in collaboration  with the Dignity Act Coordinator (DAC).
   

F. Superintendent and District Administrators

              The Superintendent of Schools and/or designee is expected to:

10. 1. Promote a safe, orderly and stimulating school environment, free from intimidation, discrimination and harassment, support active teaching and learning.
       

11. 2. Review with district administrators the policies of the Board of Education and state and federal laws relating to school operations and management.
       

12. 3. Review with district administrators the policies of the Board of Education and State and Federal laws relating to school operations and management.
       

13. 4. Inform the Board of Education concerning educational trends relating to student discipline.
       

14. 5. Work to create instructional programs that minimize problems of misconduct and are sensitive to student and teacher needs.
       

15. 6. Work with district administrators in enforcing the code of conduct and ensuring that all cases are resolved promptly and fairly.
       

16. 7. Include training on Code of Conduct to all new teachers as part of new teacher orientation. 
       

17. 8. Act as role models for students; maintain appropriate personal boundaries with students, and refrain from engaging in any behavior that could reasonably lead to even the appearance of impropriety. Inappropriate fraternization of staff with students is against Board of Education Policy #6180.  Employees are expected to maintain a professional, ethical relationship with students.
       

18. 9. Report incidents of discrimination and harassment that are witnessed or otherwise brought to his/her attention to the building administrator and/or Dignity Act Coordinator (DAC) in a timely manner.
       

19. 10. Maintain confidentiality about all personal information and educational records concerning students and their families.
        

20. 11. Communicate any immediate changes with the District Safety Team.
        

21. 12. Effectively address and resolve all school-related safety concerns reported by members of the school community. Know their school’s emergency and security procedures and ensure their proper implementation.
        

G. Board of Education

1. 1. Collaborate with students, teachers, administrators, parent organizations, school safety personnel and other school personnel to develop a Code of Conduct that clearly defines expectations for the conduct of students, district personnel and visitors on school property and at school functions.
      

2. 2. Adopt and review at least once a year the Code of Conduct and evaluate its effectiveness, fairness and the consistency of its implementation.
      

3. 3. Conduct Board meetings in a professional, respectful, courteous manner, thus leading by example.
      

4. 4. Appoint a Dignity Act Coordinator in each school building. The Dignity Act Coordinator will be thoroughly trained to handle human relations in the areas of race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, and sex. The Dignity Act Coordinator will be accessible to students and other staff members for consultation and advice as needed on the Dignity Act.

All students are expected to give proper attention to personal cleanliness and to dress appropriately for school and school functions. Students who violate the dress code shall be required to modify their appearance by covering, changing, or removing the offending item. 

Behavior that is disorderly, insubordinate, disruptive, violent, or endangers others is prohibited. Plagiarism, cheating, copying, altering records, or assisting students in such actions is considered academic misconduct and, therefore, prohibited. 

All students are expected to report violations of the Code of Conduct to those in authority. District staff not authorized to impose disciplinary actions are expected to report violations to their supervisor. Any weapon, alcohol, or other illegal substance will be confiscated immediately. Code violations that constitute a crime may be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. 

Disciplinary Penalties and Procedures 

Disciplinary action, when necessary, will be firm, fair, and consistent. As a general rule, discipline will be progressive. That is, a student's first offense will usually merit a lesser penalty than subsequent violations. The Code of Conduct contains levels of discipline ranging from oral warning to permanent suspension from school. Regardless of the penalty imposed, school personnel authorized to impose a disciplinary procedure must inform the student of the alleged misconduct. Students subject to more severe penalties have additional rights as spelled out in the Code of Conduct. 

When a student of any age is removed from class by a teacher or a student of compulsory attendance age is suspended from school pursuant to Education Law 3214, the District will take immediate steps to provide alternative means of instruction for the student. 

While all students are subject to the same Code of Conduct, the Board of Education recognizes that students with disabilities are entitled to additional procedural protections. The Code of Conduct affords students with disabilities subject to disciplinary action no greater or lesser rights than those expressly afforded by applicable federal and state laws and regulations.   

Corporal Punishment 

Corporal punishment is defined as an act of physical force upon a student and is forbidden. 

All visitors to a school must report to the main entrance near the flagpoles to sign in with the School Safety Officer and follow the visitor protocol. Any unauthorized person on school property will be reported to the principal or designee. Unauthorized persons will be asked to leave. All visitors are expected to abide by the rules of public conduct on school property as contained in the Code of Conduct. 

All persons on school property or attending a school function, including athletic events, shall conduct themselves in a respectful and orderly manner. In addition, all persons on school property or attending a school function are expected to be properly attired. The District may rescind authorization to be on school property or attend school functions for any visitor who violates the rules of public conduct. 

The Board of Education will review the Code of Conduct every year and update it as necessary. Before adopting any revisions, the Board will hold at least one public hearing.