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Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct for Families, Volunteers, and Visitors

As Required by Tennessee Code Annotated, Effective July 1, 2024

 

This Code of Conduct applies to all families, volunteers and visitors who interact with schools and offices in Lakeland School System. It also applies to those who are present at school, in person or virtually, and at school-sponsored activities, meetings, and/or functions during and after regular school hours.

In order to create a climate and culture of support for all students, there is an expectation for all stakeholders to work together in ensuring that every student attains high academic achievement; positive social and emotional development; and readiness for college, careers, and a successful and productive life.

In order to maintain an orderly, respectful and secure educational environment for students and staff, it is essential that families and visitors are aware of their responsibilities and understand that adherence to these guidelines is essential for each school and office. Penalties for lack of adherence to this Code of Conduct shall be enforceable by the Board of Education and by local law enforcement officers if necessary.

Public Conduct on School Property

Schools are a place of work and learning. All persons on school property or attending a school function shall conduct themselves in a respectful and orderly manner. The building principal or their designee is responsible for all persons in the building and on the grounds. Anyone who is not a regular staff member or student of the school is considered a “visitor.” All visitors are required to abide by the rules for public conduct on school property established by procedures, state law, and school board policy.

All visitors to a school facility outside of a public performance, athletic event, or group  informational meeting shall provide to the office a form of government-issued identification (including the visitor’s name, date of birth, and photo), which will be recorded. Persons who do not provide required identification will not be permitted on premises.

Visitors may be escorted and/or accompanied by a school employee throughout their visit. Visitors are required to wear a badge or name tag indicating that they are a visitor throughout their visit.

Conduct Prohibited on School Property

No person shall:

  1. Act in a threatening manner (e.g., showing gross disrespect; using loud, offensive, or profane language; displaying temper; or otherwise causing disruption to professional or academic climate) toward any staff member or student;
  2. Approach someone else’s child in order to discuss an issue or chastise them. (Such an approach to a child may be seen as an assault on that child and may have legal consequences);
  3. Injure any other person or threaten to do so;
  4. Damage or destroy school property, or threaten to damage or destroy school property or the property of a teacher, administrator, other district employee or any other person lawfully on school property;
  5. Disrupt classes, school programs or other school activities;
  6. Send abusive, harassing, or threatening emails or text/voicemail/phone messages or other inappropriate written communication;
  7. Record or videotape any interactions within the school building where there is an expectation of privacy (classroom instruction, conversations with teachers, students, staff), unless all participants to the conversation have given their permission for the recording or videotaping;
  8. Misuse social media to fuel campaigns and complaints against school staff, and/or other parents/students through social networking and websites;
  9. Misuse social media by cyberbullying and/or publicly humiliating others;
  10. Disrupt school transportation or confront transportation staff on the bus, the road, in neighborhoods, or on school system grounds, or enter upon a school bus without express permission to do so;
  11. Distribute or wear materials on school grounds or at school functions that are suggestive, inappropriate, or obscene; that advocate illegal action; that promote alcohol or illegal substances; that appear libelous; that obstruct the rights of others; or that are disruptive to the school program;
  12. Intimidate, harass or discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or age;
  13. Enter any portion of the school premises without authorization or remain in any building or facility after it is normally closed;
  14. Obstruct the free movement of any person in any place to which this code applies;
  15. Violate the traffic laws, parking regulations or other restrictions of vehicles while on school property;
  16. Possess, consume, sell, distribute or exchange alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tobacco products, vaping products, controlled substances, or be under the influence on school property or at school functions;
  17. Possess or use firearms or dangerous weapons in or on school property or at any school function, except in the case of law enforcement officers;
  18. Loiter on school property or at school functions;
  19. Gamble on school property or at school functions;
  20. Refuse to comply with any reasonable order of identifiable school district officials performing their duties;
  21. Willfully incite others to commit any of the acts prohibited by this code; or
  22. Violate any federal or state statute, local ordinance, or Board policy while on school property or while at a school function.

Consequences for Violating the Code of Conduct

Principals or their designees and school security have the authority to enforce the Code of Conduct for Families, Volunteers and Visitors, as well as all district policies and procedures, and are authorized to determine the appropriate offense level outlined below.

Depending upon the severity of the incident, parents/guardians or visitors may be ejected from, or otherwise banned from campus and participation in school-sponsored activities. In situations involving lesser infractions or where remediation is viable, a verbal warning will be provided. Should a parent/guardian or visitor fail to heed the direction issued in the verbal warning, a ban or other restrictions designed to deter the conduct will follow. No restriction, however, will prevent the parent/guardian from working collaboratively with the school to meet the child’s educational needs, nor will a parent/guardian be excluded from meetings regarding their child’s education and performance. 

For more information, please reference Board Policy 1.501 - Visitors to the Schools   

For questions regarding the Code of Conduct for Families, Volunteers, and Visitors, contact Deputy Principal Cody Duncan at Lakeland Preparatory School (901-290-0505) or Principal Joretha Lockhart at Lakeland Elementary School (901-867-7071).


This Code of Conduct has been reviewed by Attorney Eric Plumley (TN BPR# 22236).