Obion County Board of Education
August 12, 2013

Background Information:

During the latest legislative session, Public Chapter No. 375 and Public Chapter No. 442 were signed into law effective July 1, 2013. In accordance with state law, a student who transmits by an electronic device a credible threat to cause bodily injury or death to another student or school employee and it creates actual disruptive activity at the school is now considered a zero tolerance offense. This law also requires students, employees, and volunteers to report to school officials any knowledge of such threats. To this end, TSBA has developed a sample policy for the Board’s consideration. The sections titled “Assault” and “Electronic Threats” need to be amended into the Board’s current policy. All other aspects of the Board’s current policy are appropriate.

Staff Recommendation:

Due to the amendment reflecting current state law, I recommend approval of the above-noted amendment to Board Policy #6.309 – Zero Tolerance Offenses, on first and final reading.