H-835 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL NO. 1439
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 51st Legislature 1989 Regular Session
By Representatives Todd, Walker, G. Fisher, Prentice, Wood, S. Wilson, Gallagher, Walk, Jones, Betrozoff, R. Meyers, Anderson, Brekke, Crane, Brough, Cole, Rayburn, Pruitt, Kremen, Chandler, Brumsickle, Patrick, Day, Jesernig, Winsley, Bowman, Horn, Youngsman, Ferguson, Wineberry, P. King, Scott, R. King, Dorn, Rasmussen and Phillips
Read first time 1/25/89 and referred to Committee on Education.
AN ACT Relating to student suspension; and amending RCW 28A.58.1011.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. Section 5, chapter 142, Laws of 1972 ex. sess. as amended by section 1, chapter 171, Laws of 1980 and RCW 28A.58.1011 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The rules adopted pursuant to RCW 28A.58.101 shall be interpreted to insure that the optimum learning atmosphere of the classroom is maintained, and that the highest consideration is given to the judgment of qualified certificated educators regarding conditions necessary to maintain the optimum learning atmosphere.
(2) Any student who creates a disruption of the educational process in violation of the building disciplinary standards while under a teacher's immediate supervision may be excluded by the teacher from his or her individual classroom and instructional or activity area for all or any portion of the balance of the school day or until the principal or designee and teacher have conferred, whichever occurs first: PROVIDED, That except in emergency circumstances, the teacher shall have first attempted one or more alternative forms of corrective action: PROVIDED FURTHER, That in no event without the consent of the teacher shall an excluded student be returned during the balance of that class or activity period.
(3) In order to preserve a beneficial learning environment for all students and to maintain good order and discipline in each classroom, every school district board of directors shall provide that written procedures are developed for administering discipline at each school within the district. Such procedures shall be developed with the participation of parents and the community, and shall provide that the teacher, principal or designee, and other authorities designated by the board of directors, make every reasonable attempt to involve the parent or guardian and the student in the resolution of student discipline problems. Such procedures shall provide that students may be excluded from their individual classes or activities for periods of time in excess of that provided in subsection (2) of this section if such students have repeatedly disrupted the learning of other students: PROVIDED, That the procedures are consistent with the regulations of the state board of education and provide for early involvement of parents in attempts to improve the student's behavior: PROVIDED FURTHER, That pursuant to RCW 28A.58.201, the procedures shall assure that all staff work cooperatively toward consistent enforcement of proper student behavior throughout each school as well as within each classroom.
(4) The school board shall have the authority to enact a policy to immediately suspend any student who brings a deadly weapon onto school property. For the purposes of this section, a "deadly weapon" is an implement or instrument which has the capacity to inflict death and from the manner in which it is used, is likely to produce or may easily and readily produce death. The following instruments are included in the term deadly weapon: Blackjack, sling shot, billy club, sand club, sandbag, metal knuckles, and dirk, dagger, pistol, revolver, or any other firearm, any knife having a blade longer than three inches, any razor with an unguarded blade, any metal pipe or bar used or intended to be used as a club, any explosive, and any weapon containing poisonous or injurious gas.