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Discipline in school isn’t just about consequences. It’s about building community, repairing harm, and ensuring fairness. That’s the approach Durham Public Schools takes in its Code of Student Conduct and discipline framework.
In this final part of our handbook series, Southpoint Access takes a closer look at how DPS manages behavior, uses restorative practices, and protects student rights when discipline is on the table.
📘 What Is the Code of Student Conduct?
The Code of Student Conduct applies to:
- All DPS students
- On campus, on buses, during virtual instruction
- At any school-sponsored event or trip
Misconduct is categorized into Levels I through IV, with increasing seriousness:
| Level | Examples | Possible Actions |
|---|---|---|
| I | Disruption, disrespect, dress code violations | Teacher redirection, conferencing |
| II | Repeated disruption, fighting without injury | Restorative practices, short suspension |
| III | Drug possession, fighting with injury | RPC placement, longer suspension |
| IV | Weapons, sexual assault, serious threats | Long-term suspension, expulsion (rare) |
Each infraction level includes a range of disciplinary responses — schools must consider context, severity, and student history before acting.
📌 DPS Code of Student Conduct Matrix
🔄 Restorative Practices: Repairing, Not Just Punishing
Durham is expanding the use of Restorative Practice Centers (RPCs) — in-school spaces where students:
- Reflect on behavior
- Meet with trained staff
- Participate in restorative conversations
- Create plans to reenter class successfully
🗣️ “The RPC is not detention. It’s a place to rebuild trust and relationships.” — DPS handbook
Restorative practices are prioritized over exclusionary discipline whenever possible, especially for:
- First-time infractions
- Conflicts between peers
- Nonviolent misbehavior
🧑⚖️ Student Rights During Disciplinary Action
Students are entitled to due process when facing removal from class, suspension, or expulsion.
DPS must:
- Explain the incident and charges
- Allow the student to respond
- Notify parents or guardians in writing
- Offer a formal hearing for long-term suspensions (more than 10 days)
🛑 Expulsion is rare and used only for the most serious, ongoing threats to school safety.
Parents have the right to:
- Review the evidence
- Appeal disciplinary actions
- Request a meeting with school or district leaders
📌 Policy Reference: 4351 – Short-Term Suspension
📌 Policy Reference: 4353 – Long-Term Suspension, Expulsion, Appeals
🚨 Bullying, Threats, and Harassment
As outlined in Part 3 of this series:
- Bullying includes repeated verbal, physical, or digital abuse
- Threats, even when claimed as jokes, may lead to disciplinary consequences
- Students can report incidents anonymously or directly to school staff
🚫 Retaliation against someone who reports misconduct is a violation of DPS policy and may itself result in discipline.
📊 Discipline and Equity
DPS tracks discipline data to ensure equity across student groups, including:
- Race and ethnicity
- Disability status
- English learner status
If a family believes a student was treated unfairly or that discipline was influenced by bias, they can:
- Request a review by school leadership
- Contact the DPS Equity Affairs Office
- File a grievance if necessary
🧭 Where to Learn More or Get Help
- 📘 DPS Code of Student Conduct Matrix
- 📄 Search DPS Board Policies
- ☎️ Equity Affairs Office: (919) 560-3874
- 🧑 School counselor or assistant principal can guide families through appeals or questions
✅ Series Recap: A Six-Part Guide to the DPS Handbook
- Welcome Back & Why the Handbook Matters
- Attendance, Transportation, and Emergencies
- Equity, Dress Code, and Safe Schools
- Grades, Testing, and Academic Expectations
- Health, EC, and Mental Wellness Supports
- Discipline, Restorative Practices, and Student Rights
You can find all parts here on Southpoint Access.
💬 What’s Next?
We’d love to hear your feedback. What topics should we cover next? Do you have questions about how a policy works in your school?
📩 Drop a comment or send a message to join the conversation.
- Send email to wes.platt@southpointaccess.news
- Follow on Bluesky
- Join our Discord community
- Join the Southpoint Access subreddit!
Author: Wes Platt
Lead storyteller. Game designer and journalist. Recovering Floridian. Email: southpointaccessnews@gmail.com.
