During its Dec. 14 meeting, the Bulloch County Board of Education approved changes to Bulloch County Schools’ Student Code of Conduct which will take effect on January 1, 2024.
The changes relate to electronic smoking devices, which are already a Code of Conduct violation; however, the revisions provide clarity between devices that contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and devices that do not.
District administrators ask families to regularly remind children that all school campuses are smoke-free and vape-free zones. Possession of any of these type items could result in discipline that includes expulsion from their school with the option to be placed at the district’s alternative learning campus, the Transition Learning Center.
| (34) Other – Possession of Unapproved ItemsThe use or possession of any unauthorized item disruptive to the school environment. Note: The use of fireworks or incendiary devices must be coded as Arson. | ||
| Level 1 | Possession of any unauthorized item including but not limited to toys, mobile devices, gadgets, personal items, gum, candy, etc.; Includes possession of pepper spray. Does not include possession of fireworks, matches, toy weapons, or other items that can be construed as dangerous. | |
| Level 2 | Use of any unauthorized item including but not limited to toys, mobile devices, gadgets, personal items, etc.; Includes use of pepper spray without injury. Does not include possession of fireworks, matches, toy weapons, or other items that can be construed as dangerous. | |
| Level 3 | The use or possession of unauthorized items including but not limited to toy guns or other items that can be construed as dangerous or harmful to the learning environment; Includes the use or possession of items containing THC that are not otherwise classified as electronic smoking devices. Includes use of pepper spray with injury. Includes but is not limited to the possession of matches, lighters, incendiary devices, fireworks, bullets, stink bombs, CO2 cartridges. The use of matches, lighters, incendiary devices or fireworks must be coded as Arson. Level 3 should be used for students who display a pattern of violating the school policy related to unapproved items. | |
| (42a) Electronic Smoking Device – No Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)Any device not containing THC used to deliver nicotine or any other substance intended for human consumption that may be used by a person to simulate smoking through inhalation of vapor or aerosol from the device. Such devices include those manufactured, distributed, marketed or sold as an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, electronic hookah, vape pen, electronic nicotine delivery system or any cartridge or other component of the device or related product. | ||
| Level 1 | Unintentional possession of an electronic smoking device that does not contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) | |
| Level 2 | Use or knowledgeable possession of an electronic smoking device not containing THC. | |
| Level 3 | Distribution and/or selling of electronic smoking devices not containing THC. Level 3 may be used for students that violate school policy on electronic smoking devices three or more times during the same school year. | |
| (42b) Electronic Smoking Device – Contains Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)Any device containing THC used to deliver nicotine or any other substance intended for human consumption that may be used by a person to simulate smoking through inhalation of vapor or aerosol from the device. Such devices include those manufactured, distributed, marketed or sold as an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, electronic hookah, vape pen, electronic nicotine delivery system or any cartridge or other component of the device or related product. | ||
| Level 1 | Unintentional possession of an electronic smoking device containing THC. | |
| Level 2 | Use or knowledgeable possession of an electronic smoking device containing THC. | |
| Level 3 | Distribution and/or selling of electronic smoking devices containing THC. Level 3 may be used for students that violate school policy on electronic smoking devices three or more times during the same school year. | |
Families may review the updated Code of Conduct on the Bulloch County Schools website at www.bullochschools.org/codeofconduct and reference items 34, 42a, and 42b in its Directory of Disciplinary Offenses. School principals will also remind students and their families when schools reopen on January 4.
