North East Independent School District is making disciplinary changes when it comes to students suspected of having prohibited items on campus.
Starting Monday, Jan. 6, students suspected of being in possession of a prohibited item who run away from administrators and do not comply to a lawful search could be sent to the North East Alternative Center.
This decision is due to an increase in students refusing to comply to a lawful search and/or running away when they are typically suspected of vaping.
“What we are seeing recently an increase in is students on their way to the office and instead of getting to the office, they’re running away from administrators and they’re doing that in an effort to avoid consequences,” said Aubrey Chancellor, Executive Director for North East ISD.
According to a Facebook post from the district, this new disciplinary action will be for all middle and high schools throughout the district.
The post goes on to say, “When a student refuses to be searched or runs from administrators, it undermines the safety protocols we have in place to protect everyone. These actions pose potential risks not only to the individual student but also to the broader school community.”
The Student Code of Conduct book states the following items are listed as prohibited on school campuses:
-
Over-the-counter medication
-
Personal prescription medication
-
Electronic games
-
Cigarette lighters/matches
-
Any bladed instruments
-
Toy guns of any kind
-
Pellet guns
-
BB guns
-
Paintball guns
-
Ammunition of any type
-
Laser pointers
-
Audio and/or video recording equipment of devices
-
Cameras of any type
-
Cards/trading cards
-
Skateboards
-
In-line skates
-
Pornographic materials
Along with those prohibited items, tobacco/nicotine use is not allowed on campus.
The code of conduct states the following are banned:
“1. Any adult and/or student from smoking cigarettes, tobacco, tobacco products, electronic, vapor, smokeless or any other substitute form of cigarettes, tobacco, or tobacco-like products, as well as the use of any devices which are used for the purpose of ingesting or transmitting any type of tobacco or tobacco-like products at a school-related or school-on or off school property.
“2. Students from possessing or using cigarettes, tobacco, tobacco products, electronic, vapor, smokeless or any other substitute form of cigarettes, tobacco, or tobacco-like products, as well as the use of any devices which are used for the purpose of ingesting or transmitting any type of tobacco, or tobacco-like products at a school-related or school-sanctioned activity on or off school property.”
“We urge students to please follow those directions. It’s going to be a whole lot easier for everybody. We also ask the parents to continually communicate with their students and, you know, make sure you’re having those conversations about what they are bringing to school and what they’re not, because it’s just a whole lot easier if everybody follows the rules,” Chancellor said.