Students shall help maintain the school environment, preserve school property and exercise care while using school facilities. 

All district employees shall report all damage or loss of school property to the principal or designee immediately after such damage or loss is discovered. The principal or designee shall make a full and complete investigation of any instance of damage or loss of school property. The investigation shall be carried out in cooperation with law enforcement officials when appropriate. 

School property is defined as buildings, buses, books, equipment, automated external defibrillators, records, instructional materials or any other item under the jurisdiction of the Board. 

When the person causing damage or loss has been identified and the costs of repair or replacement have been determined, the principal, as directed by the Board of Education, shall take steps to recover these costs.  This shall include recommending the filing of a civil complaint in court to recover damages. If the responsible person is a minor, recovery will be sought from the minor’s parent or legal guardian. 

In addition, the district may withhold the grades, diploma, and/or transcript of the student responsible for vandalism or theft or otherwise incurring any debt to a school until the student or the student’s parent/legal guardian has made appropriate restitution for the damages as determined by the Superintendent. When the minor and parent are unable to pay for the damages, the district shall provide a program of voluntary work for the minor. Upon completion of the work, the student’s grades, diploma, and/or transcripts shall be released.  Such sanctions shall not be imposed if the student is not at fault.

Legal Reference: 

1. T.C.A. § 37-10-101 through 103. 

Approved as to Legal Form 
By Knox County Law Director 11/17/2023 
/Gary T. Dupler/Deputy Law Director