THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 15, 1996 TAG: 9608150343
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: 45 lines
Students at Manteo High School will face a new set of rules when the new academic year starts Aug. 26.
Parents of repeat offenders might have to go back to school.
The new rules will provide a more uniform disciplinary standard for students and increase parental involvement, said Leon Holleman, Dare County schools superintendent.
``I think after last year, one of the things that we were concerned about at the high school was discipline,'' Holleman said. ``Not that we had a lot of problems, but there was some inconsistency in how we dealt with problems. Under these guidelines, you know what's going to happen if you violate the rules.''
Holleman said a clear punishment standard is a necessity.
``If the punishment is inconsistent, it gives the appearance of favoritism and things like that. We have to have consistency.''
Under the new rules:
A first offense will lead to a warning.
A second offense will bring 30 minutes of after-school detention, and the student will be required to take a discipline plan home for parents' signatures, to be returned to the assistant principal.
A third offense mandates an hour of after-school detention and a phone conference between parents and the assistant principal.
A fourth offense requires a conference within 24 hours involving parents, teachers and a guidance counselor, and a possible two-day suspension. If parents fail to attend the conference, the two-day penalty is automatic.
A fifth offense requires parents to attend class for a full day with their child, as well as attend a conference with school officials. A three-day suspension also is possible. If parents fail to show up, the suspension is automatic.
Major infractions - drug, alcohol or weapons violations - will be dealt with under existing school policies. Such severe violations will be treated as level four infractions, the policy said.
Under the guidelines, students may remove an infraction from their record if they complete 20 violation-free school days.
Holleman was quick to point out that the regulations apply only to Manteo High School and are not a systemwide policy.
``Policies have to be approved by the school board,'' Holleman said. by CNB