Level 4 offenses are the most serious misbehavior and cause the most concern for school safety. Level 4 offenses may include repeated acts of misbehavior from Level 3. Any Level 4 act may result in up to a 10-day suspension with a possible removal from school.
Level 4 misbehavior must be reported right away to the school administrator to investigate. After hearing the student’s side of the story, speaking with staff members and other students, and doing any other investigation needed, the administrator will follow the procedures for Level 4 offenses. A consequence for Level 4 may include removing the student from the school or activity immediately.
Students who commit a Level 4 offense may be referred to the police for further investigation.
LEVEL 4: OFFENSES
A.
Alcohol ALC (Must Report to Law Enforcement) The possession, sale, purchase, distribution, or use of alcoholic beverages. Use means the person is caught in the act of using, admits to use, or is discovered to have used in the course of an investigation. Alcohol incidents cannot be drug related.
B.
Arson ARC (Must Report to Law Enforcement) To intentionally damage or cause to be damaged, by fire or explosion, any dwelling, structure, or conveyance, whether occupied or not, or its contents.
C.
Threat/Intimidation TRE (Must Report to Law Enforcement) An incident where there was no physical contact between the offender and victim, but the victim reasonably believed that physical harm could have occurred based on verbal or non-verbal communication by the offender. This includes non-verbal threats and verbal threats of physical harm which are made in person, electronically, or through any other means. This includes instilling fear in others. Fear comes from the victim's perception, and intent and capability are more broadly taken into account for all SESIR incidents.
This offense includes, but is not limited to, threats made verbally or nonverbally by act, through social media, or by text, or threats/threatening behavior with a weapon (4H) or other dangerous object (4K), or the attempted use of a weapon (4H) or other dangerous object (4K) without injury.
D.
Aggravated Battery BAT (Must Report to Law Enforcement) A battery where the attacker intentionally or knowingly causes more serious injury as defined in F.A.C. Rule 6A-1.0017(8)(g) such as: great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement; uses a deadly weapon; or, where the attacker knew or should have known the victim was pregnant. This includes death or injuries with substantial risk of death, extreme physical pain, protracted and obvious disfigurement, and protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty.
This section includes the use of a weapon (4H) or other dangerous object (4K) that results in more serious injury, however, this section does not include injury that is a result of fighting if the students are mutual combatants.
E.
Threats to the School DOC (Must Report to Law Enforcement) Any direct or indirect threat that poses a threat to the school or may disrupt the function of the school campus or school sponsored activity including, but not limited to, threats made verbally or nonverbally, by act, through social media, or by text. Threats to the school may include, but are not limited to, bomb threats, threats to use firearms in a violent manner, and/or threats to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism. Threats to the school are deemed zero tolerance by Sections 1006.07 and 1006.13, Florida Statutes.
F.
Drug Use/Possession DRU (Must Report to Law Enforcement) Illegal drug possession or use. The use or possession of any drug, narcotic, controlled substance, or any substance when used for chemical intoxication. Use means the person is caught in the act of using, admits to use, or is discovered to have used in the course of an investigation.
Alcohol offenses are coded separately: Level IV-A, Alcohol.
H.
Weapons Possession WPO (Must Report to Law Enforcement) The possession or control of any firearm or any instrument or object as defined by Section 790.001(6) and (13), Florida Statutes, that can inflict serious harm on another person or that can place the person in reasonable fear of serious harm. This includes possession of firearms and other instruments that can cause harm.
“Firearm” means any weapon (including a starter gun) which will, is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; any destructive device; or any machine gun. The term “firearm” does not include an antique firearm unless the antique firearm is used in the commission of a crime.
“Weapon” means any dirk, knife, metallic knuckles, slungshot, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon or device, or other deadly weapon except a firearm or a common pocketknife, plastic knife, or blunt-bladed table knife.
I.
Disruption on Campus - Major DOC (Must Report to Law Enforcement) Major disruption of all or a significant portion of campus activities, school-sponsored events, and school bus transportation. Disruptive behavior that poses a serious threat to the learning environment, health, safety, or welfare of others. Examples of major disruptions including bomb threats, inciting a riot, or initiating a false alarm.
For offenses that disrupt campus activities, school-sponsored events, and school bus transportation but do not pose a serious threat to the learning environment: see Level IV-HH, Interruption of Campus Operations.
J.
Grand Theft ($750 or over) STL (Must Report to Law Enforcement) The unauthorized taking of the property of another person or organization, including motor vehicles, valued at $750 or more, without threat, violence, or bodily harm. Thefts of property of any value that involve a use of force, violence, assault, or putting the victim in fear must be reported as robbery.
This does not include a taking by violence, a threat of violence or assault, and putting the victim in fear (See 4M Robbery).
K.
Other Dangerous Objects (Must Report to Law Enforcement) Having, selling/buying or controlling any instrument or object, other than a firearm or weapon as defined under a Level IV-H, Weapons Possession offense, which could be used to harm another person, or to scare any person. Threatening or attempting to use a dangerous object is a Level IV-C or IV-E offense. Using a dangerous object and causing injury is a Level IV-D or IV-Y offense.
This offense may include, but is not limited to, BB guns or pellet guns, air soft guns, paintball guns and replicas of any gun or weapon, water/gel bead guns, common pocket knives (blade is less than 2.5 inches), chains, pipes, razor blades, box cutter/utility knife, ice picks, other pointed instruments, nun chucks, Tasers, Chinese stars, pepper spray, other items used for self-defense (i.e. kubaton), bullets, firearm clips, or firearm cartridges. This offense also includes lighting fireworks or firecrackers.
L.
Repeated Misconduct of a More Serious Nature Repeated misconduct that tends to seriously disrupt the school, school function, or extracurricular/co-curricular program or activity.
M.
Robbery ROB (Must Report to Law Enforcement) The taking, or attempted taking of money or other property from the person or custody of another with the intent to permanently or temporarily deprive the person or owner of the money or other property under the confrontational circumstances of force, or threat of force, or violence, and/or by putting the victim in fear. A key difference in Grand Theft and Robbery is that robbery involves violence, a threat of violence or assault, and putting the victim in fear. This includes using force to take something from another.
N.
Sexual Battery SXB (Must Report to Law Enforcement) Forced or attempted oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by using a sexual organ or an object simulating a sexual organ, or the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any body part or foreign object. Both males and females can be victims of sexual battery. This includes undesired sexual behavior.
O.
Sexual Harassment SXH (Must Report to Law Enforcement) Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, such as sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual natures. Harassing conduct can include verbal or non-verbal actions, including, graphic and written statements, and may include statements made through computers, cell phones, and other devices connected to the internet. The conduct can be carried out by school employees, other students, and non-employee third parties. This includes undesired sexual behavior.
Law Enforcement Must be Notified to Investigate.
P.
Sexual Offenses SXO (Must Report to Law Enforcement) Other sexual contact, including intercourse without force or threat of force. Subjecting an individual to lewd sexual gestures, sexual activity, or exposing private body parts in a lewd manner
Law Enforcement Must be Notified to Investigate. This includes lewdness, indecent exposure.
Q.
Violation of Early Re-entry Plan Committing any act or series of acts that violates or has the effect of violating a re-entry plan from expulsion.
S.
Criminal Mischief ($1000 or over) VAN (Must Report to Law Enforcement) Willfully and maliciously injuring or damaging by any means any real or personal property belonging to another, including, but not limited to, the placement of graffiti thereon or other acts of vandalism thereto.
T.
Other Major OMC (Must Report to Law Enforcement) Any serious, harmful incident resulting in the need for law enforcement consultation not previously classified. This includes any drug or weapon found unattended and not linked to any individual; such incidents must be coded with the appropriate Related element (such as Drug-related or Weapon-related) and incident involvement must be reported as unknown.
U.
Drug Sale/Distribution, Excluding Alcohol DRD (Must Report to Law Enforcement) The manufacture, cultivation, purchase, sale or distribution of any drug, narcotic, controlled substance or any substance represented to be a drug, narcotic, or controlled substance. This includes illegal sale or distribution of drugs.
V.
Bullying BUL (Must Report to Law Enforcement) Repeatedly (systematically and chronically) inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees. The bullying must include intimidating behaviors that are repeated, intentional, and involve a power imbalance.
*Bullying may include, but is limited to,
repetitive instances of teasing, social exclusion, threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, theft, harassment, public or private humiliation, or destruction of property. If the physical harm or psychological distress is not the result of systematic or chronic behavior, evaluate for Harassment.
X.
Hazing (Must Report to Law Enforcement) Secondary only.
Y. Simple Battery PHA (Must Report to Law Enforcement) An actual and intentional touching or striking of another person against his/her will, or the intentional causing of bodily harm to an individual. This includes incidents that require immediate first aid or subsequent medical attention.
This does not include death or injuries with substantial risk of death, extreme physical pain, protracted and obvious disfigurement, and protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty. (See 4D Aggravated Battery).
Z.
Sexual Assault SXA (Must Report to Law Enforcement) An incident that includes fondling, indecent liberties, child molestation, or threatened rape. Both males and females can be victims of sexual assault.
AA.
District Technology Violation Use or access to programs and/or files without permission which you should not access on an electronic device; or any use that is against Board policies, local, state, and/or federal laws and regulations.
This offense may include, but is not limited to, gaining access to the OCPS network to do harm or change records.
CC. Burglary BRK (Must Report to Law Enforcement) Unlawful entry into or remaining in a dwelling, structure, or conveyance with the intent to commit a crime therein.
DD.
Homicide HOM (Must Report to Law Enforcement) The unjustified killing of one human being by another. This includes murder, manslaughter.
EE.
Kidnapping KID (Must Report to Law Enforcement) Forcibly, secretly, or by threat, confining, abducting, or imprisoning another person against his/her will and without lawful authority. This includes abduction of an individual.
GG. Igniting Setting a fire by accident or setting a fire that does not cause damage.
HH. Interruption of Campus Operations Offenses that disrupt campus activities, school-sponsored events, and school bus transportation but do not pose a serious threat to the learning environment.
This offense may include, but is not limited to, incidents that result in closing the cafeteria, fights involving multiple participants that interrupt campus operations, and/or incidents that prevent students from proceeding to the next class.
For offenses that include a major disruption and serious threat, see Level IV-I, Disruption on Campus-Major.
II. Incidents Beyond the Bounds of Acceptable Behavior Any behavior, which goes beyond what is expected at school and in the community, which cannot be coded in another Level 4 offense.
JJ. Trespassing TRS (Must Report to Law Enforcement) Entering or staying on school property, school transportation, or at a school activity, without approval or after being told to leave by the school staff. This only includes incidents involving a student currently under suspension or expulsion, or incidents where any offended (student or non-student) was previously issued an official trespass warning, or where any offended was arrested for trespass.
LEVEL 4: CONSEQUENCES
School Consequences
1. Contact your parent/guardian*
2. Talk with you about your behavior*
3. Up to a 10 day suspension with a recommendation for expulsion*
4. Refer to the District for a Discipline Team Meeting*
5. Temporary or permanent removal from participation in extracurricular/co-curricular programs or activities
6. Restorative Practice
7. Alternative classroom
8. Supervision plan
9. No contact contract
10. Guidance referral
District Consequences
1. Expulsion from the school district
2. Assignment to an alternative school
3. Referral to an intervention program
4. Bus expulsion
5. Referral to mental health services
*Mandatory Consequences