Skip To Main Content
Lodi Unified School District

Policy 5131 - Conduct

Series: 5000 - Students

Policy: 5131 - Conduct

Adopted: 05/11/1967

Last Revised: 09/02/2025

Last Reviewed: n/a

Download Policy 5131 - Conduct PDF (English)

Conduct

The Board of Education believes that all students have the right to be educated in a safe and positive learning environment free from disruptions. Students shall be expected to exhibit appropriate conduct that does not infringe upon the rights of others or interfere with the school program while on school grounds, going to or coming from school, while at school activities, or using district transportation.
 
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that each school develops standards of conduct and discipline consistent with Board policies and rules. Students and parents/guardians shall be notified of district and school rules related to conduct.
 
Prohibited student conduct includes, but is not limited to:
 
  1. Conduct that endangers students, staff, or others, including, but not limited to, physical violence, possession of a firearm or other weapon, and terrorist threats
     
  2. Discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying of students or staff, including sexual harassment, hate-motivated behavior, cyberbullying, hazing or initiation activity, extortion, or any other verbal, written, or physical conduct that causes or threatens to cause violence, bodily harm, or substantial disruption to the school program
     
  3. Conduct that disrupts the orderly classroom or school environment
     
  4. Willful defiance of staff's authority
     
  5. Damage to or theft of property belonging to students, staff, or the district
     
  6. Obscene acts or use of profane, vulgar, or abusive language
     
  7. Possession, use, or being under the influence of tobacco, alcohol, or other prohibited substances
     
  8. Possession or use of a laser pointer, unless for a valid instructional or other school-related purpose with prior permission of the principal or designee
     
  9. Use of a smartphone, smartwatch, pager, wireless earbuds, or other mobile communications device during school hours.

    Note: Students who have documented needs (e.g., health monitoring apps, communication accommodations) deemed necessary by a licensed physician will be supported with appropriate exceptions as outlined in their Medical Plan, 504 Plan or Individual Education Plan (IEP).
     
  10. Plagiarism or dishonesty on schoolwork or tests
     
  11. Wearing of any attire that violates district or school dress codes, including gang-related apparel
     
  12. Tardiness or unexcused absence from school
     
  13. Failure to remain on school premises in accordance with school rules
     
  14. Other conduct prohibited by Education Code 48900-48915
 
Employees are expected to provide appropriate supervision, to enforce standards of conduct and, if they observe or receive a report of a violation of these standards, to appropriately intervene or seek assistance.  As necessary, the employee shall refer the matter to a supervisor or the principal or designee for further investigation.
 
When a school employee suspects that a search of a student or their belongings will turn up evidence of the student's violation of the law or school rules, such a search shall be conducted in accordance with BP/BR 5145.12 - Search and Seizure.
 
When a student uses any prohibited device, or uses a permitted device in an unauthorized manner, a district employee may confiscate the device. The employee shall store the device until it is returned to the student or turned over to the principal or designee, as appropriate. The district shall not be responsible for students' personal belongings which are brought on campus or to a school activity and are lost, stolen, or damaged.
 
Students who violate district or school rules and regulations may be subject to discipline including, but not limited to, suspension, expulsion, transfer to alternative programs, referral to a student success team or counseling services, or denial of participation in extracurricular or co-curricular activities or other privileges in accordance with Board policy and rules.  The Superintendent or designee shall notify local law enforcement as appropriate.
 
Students also may be subject to discipline, in accordance with law, Board policy, or rule, for any off-campus conduct during non-school hours which poses a threat or danger to the safety of students, staff, or district property, or substantially disrupts school activities.

Legal References

Policy Reference Disclaimer:
These references are not intended to be part of the policy itself, nor do they indicate the basis or authority for the Board to enact this policy.  Instead, they are provided as additional resources for those interested in the subject matter of the policy.
 
STATE
CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS
5 CCR 300-307 Duties of students
CIVIL CODE
1714.1 Liability of parent/guardian for act of willful misconduct by a minor
EDUCATION CODE
200-262.4 Prohibition of discrimination
32280-32289.5 School safety plans
35181 Governing board authority to set policy on responsibilities of students
35291-35291.5 Rules
44807 Teachers' duty concerning conduct of students
48900-48925 Suspension and expulsion
48901.5 Prohibition of electronic signaling devices
48901.7 Limitation or prohibition of student use of smartphones
48901.8 Limitation or prohibition of student use of social media
51512 Prohibited use of electronic listening or recording device
PENAL CODE
288.2 Harmful matter with intent to seduce
313 Harmful matter
417.25-417.27 Laser scope or laser pointer
647 Use of camera or other instrument to invade person's privacy; misdemeanor
653.2 Electronic communication devices; threats to safety
VEHICLE CODE
23123-23124 Prohibitions against use of electronic devices while driving

FEDERAL
UNITED STATE CODE
20 USC 1681-1688 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; discrimination based on sex

MANAGEMENT RESOURCES
CA DEPARTMENT OF ED PUBLICATION
Bullying at School, 2003
COURT DECISIONS
Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. (2021) 141 S.Ct. 2038
Lavine v. Blaine School District (2001, 9th Cir.) 257 F.3d 981
New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985) 469 U.S. 325
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) 393 U.S. 503
Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser (1986) 478 U.S. 675
Emmett v. Kent School District No. 415 (2000) 92 F.Supp. 1088
J.C. v. Beverly Hills Unified School District (2010) 711 F.Supp.2d 1094
LaVine v. Blaine School District (2000, 9th Cir.) 257 F.3d 981
CSBA PUBLICATIONS
Cyberbullying: Policy Considerations for Boards, Policy Brief, July 2007
Providing a Safe, Nondiscriminatory School Environment for All Students, Policy Brief, April 2010
Safe Schools: Strategies for Governing Boards to Ensure Student Success, 2011
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATION
Planning Together: A Playbook for Student Personal Device Policies, December 2024
WEBSITES
CSBA District and County Office of Education Legal Services https://legalservices.csba.org/#
National School Safety Center http://www.schoolsafety.us/
California Department of Education, Safe Schools http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss
U.S. Department of Education http://www.ed.gov/