4332 - Student Hazing ## Student Hazing
The Avery County Board of Education will not tolerate hazing by any individual or group associated with the school system. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, subjecting another student to physical injury or assault as a part of membership to any organized athletic team or school group or playing abusive or ridiculous tricks upon a student to frighten, scold, beat or harass him/her as part of an initiation for an organized athletic team or school group.
It is the policy of Avery County Board of Education that hazing activities of any type either on or off school property, by any student, staff member, group or organization affiliated with this school unit shall be prohibited at all times. No administrator, faculty member, coach, volunteer or other individual associated with the school system shall encourage, permit, condone, or engage in hazing activities. This policy applies to any student who is on school property, in attendance at school or at any school-sponsored activity, including summer camps, or to any student whose conduct at any time or place has a direct and immediate effect on maintaining order and discipline in the schools.
Violation of this section may result in discipline including, but not limited to, suspension or removal from the athletic team or school organization, short-term or long-term suspension, or expulsion, as allowed by law. A determination of the appropriate consequence will be made in accordance with applicable Board policies. Placement in an alternative educational setting may be made instead of suspension in accordance with Policy 3470/4305.
The Board of Education reserves the right to disband any extracurricular club or athletic team, if the circumstances merit such action.
Legal Reference: N.C. Gen. Stat. §14-35; 115C-47, -276(r), -307, -391
Cross Reference: Harassment Defined (policy 7235)-1735-4025 Sexual Harassment Defined (policy 7236)-1736-4026 Alternative Program (policy 3470/4305), Extracurricular Activities and Student Organizations (policy 3620), Regulation of Co- Curricular and Extra-Curricular Activities (policy 3621), Integrity and Civility (policy 4310), Assaults, Threats and Harassment (policy 4331), Criminal Behavior (policy 4335), Short-Term Suspension (policy 4351), Long-Term Suspension, 365 Days Suspension, Expulsion (policy 4353).