GENERAL

The staff is authorized to take reasonable measures to establish appropriate school behavior. Any
professional employee, certified and non-certified, shall have the authority to control the conduct of any
student while under the supervision of the school system. This authority shall extend to all activities of
the school, including all games and public performances of athletic teams and other school groups, trips,
excursions and all other activities under school sponsorship and direction.

Such measures may include the use of reasonable or justifiable force to restrain, physically relocate or
correct students and maintain order if a student is unwilling to cooperate.

Each principal shall fully support the employees' authority under this policy and fully implement the
policy and procedures of the system and disseminate this policy to students, faculty, staff and parents or
legal guardians of students.

This policy shall be used consistent with policies regarding student discipline and comply with state and
federal laws regarding the placement of students.

STUDENT CONDUCT

A student shall not use violence, force, noise, coercion, threat, intimidation, fear, passive resistance or
any other conduct which causes the disruption, interference or obstruction of any school purpose while
on school property, in school vehicles or buses, or at any school-sponsored activity, function or event,
whether on or off campus. Neither shall he urge other students to engage in such conduct.
No student shall plan to haze, engage in hazing, or commit any act that injures, degrades, or disgraces
others. This includes verbal abuse, inappropriate remarks or touching, and/or threats against others.
A student in violation may receive punishment ranging from verbal reprimand to suspension and/or
expulsion dependent on the severity of the offense and the offender's prior record.

SAFE RELOCATION OF STUDENTS

Knox County Schools Employees, including but not limited to administrators, teachers, school support
staff, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and school security officers, who are directly responsible for a
student’s education or who otherwise interact with students within the scope of their assigned duties may relocate a student from the student’s present location to another location when such relocation is
necessary for the student’s safety or the safety of others.

If steps beyond the use of reasonable or justifiable force are required, the student shall be allowed to
remain in place until local law enforcement officers or school security officers can be summoned to relocate the student or take the student into custody until such time as a parent or legal guardian can
assume custody of the student.

Teachers are authorized to intervene in a physical altercation between two (2) or more students, or
between a student and LEA employees using reasonable or justifiable force upon a student, if necessary,
to end the altercation by relocating the student to another location.

The Director of Schools will establish a procedure to record and maintain the details of each incident
where a teacher or staff member relocates a student. 

Legal References:

1. T.C.A. § 39-11-603, 609-614, 621-622.
2. T.C.A. § 49-6-4107.

Approved as to Legal Form
By Knox County Law Director 1/2/2024
/Gary T. Dupler/Deputy Law Director