If any student shall willfully destroy, cut, deface, damage or injure any school building, equipment or other school property, he/she shall be subject to suspension or expulsion and his/her parents, legal guardians or custodians shall be liable for all damages.

I.    LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES

The Ocean Springs School District may institute legal proceedings against and recover damages provided by law from parents of minor students who maliciously and willfully damage or destroy school property.  The discipline plan of each school shall contain a statement of parental responsibilities in this regard as required by Policy JDA.

II.   REPORTING VANDALISM

Citizens, students and law enforcement are urged by the School Board to cooperate in reporting any incidents of vandalism in District property and the name(s) of the person(s) believed to be responsible.

All district employees shall notify the principal of the school when they have knowledge that an act of vandalism has or may have occurred. 

The principal shall notify the Superintendent or his/her designee of all reports of vandalism. 

The Superintendent is authorized to sign a criminal complaint and to press charges against perpetrators of vandalism against school property.  He/she is further authorized to delegate authority to perform these functions.

LEGAL REF.: MS CODE Sections 37-11-19 (1990) and 37-11-53 (1995)

ADOPTED:    01/17/2006