Student Hazing

CODE: JICFA

Maine School Administrative District No. 31

STUDENT HAZING

Maine statute defines injurious hazing as "any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student enrolled in a public school."

It is the policy of the Board that injurious hazing activities of any type, either on or off school property, by any student, staff member, group, or organization affiliated with this school unit, are inconsistent with the educational process and shall be prohibited at all times.

No administrator, faculty member, or other employee of the school unit shall encourage, permit, condone, or tolerate injurious hazing activities. No student, including leaders of student organizations, shall plan, encourage, or engage in injurious hazing activities.

Persons not associated with this school unit who fail to abide by this policy may be subject to disciplinary action which may include suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate measures. For example, in the case of an organization affiliated with this school unit which authorizes hazing, penalties may include rescission of permission for that organization to operate on school property or to receive any other benefit of affiliation with the school unit.

These penalties shall be in addition to any civil or criminal penalties to which the violator or organization may be subject.

The Superintendent shall assume responsibility for administering this policy. In the event that an individual or organization disagrees with an action – or lack of action - on the part of the Superintendent as he/she carries out the provisions of this policy, then the individuals or organization may appeal to the full School Board. The ruling of the Board, with respect to the provisions of this policy, shall be final.

A copy of this policy shall be included in all school, parent, and faculty handbooks or otherwise distributed to all school employees and students.

Legal Reference: 20-A MRSA § 6553

First Reading: 12/15/1999

Adoption: 01/19/2000