SPECTATOR AND VISITOR CONDUCT AT SCHOOL EVENTS
School districts have the right to control their property and manage visitor conduct to ensure a safe environment (see KGDA Policy, Public Conduct on School Property). While a higher burden is required for excluding people from public events, schools can remove individuals who pose a "clear and present danger of disruptions" or engage in other prohibited conduct.
- Policy statement and purpose
This policy governs the conduct of all visitors, spectators, and community members attending school-sponsored extracurricular events, including but not limited to athletic games, performances, and club activities. The school district is committed to providing a safe, positive, and educationally sound environment for its students, staff, and the wider community. Disruptive, threatening, or unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated.
- Prohibited conduct
The following actions are examples of prohibited conduct at school-sponsored events. This list is not exhaustive and district officials reserve the right to remove any person for actions deemed to be disruptive or a threat to safety:
- Using vulgar, obscene, or demeaning language or gestures.
- Threatening, harassing, or intimidating a school employee, coach, game official, student, or other person.
- Engaging in a physical fight, assault, or other violent behavior.
- Inciting or participating in a riot or other disruptive public disorder.
- Possessing, consuming, or being under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or controlled substances.
- Possessing a weapon or dangerous device.
- Throwing objects or debris.
- Failing to comply with the directions of school staff, security, or law enforcement. • Engaging in any activity that violates federal, state, or local laws.
III. Enforcement and penalties
School administrators and event staff are authorized to enforce this policy and will do so using a tiered approach that may require a 1) notice of suspension from school sponsored events or, in more serious cases a 2) criminal trespass notice.
- For minor disruptions, the offender may receive a verbal warning from a school official.
- For more severe disruptions or if the individual refuses to comply, they may be immediately ejected from the event. Ejection is final for that event. The incident and name of the individual will be documented by school administration.
- An individual who is ejected from a school-sponsored event may be issued a notice of suspension, prohibiting them from attending future school-sponsored events for a specified period (e.g., the remainder of the school year). The individual will be notified of the suspension in writing, outlining the reasons for the action and the duration of the ban.
- Note: A formal notice of suspension can also be issued if a school administrator or staff learns of a severe disruption by a visitor, spectator, or community member subsequent to the event.
Egregious or Repeated Offenses: Criminal trespass
- For severe or repeated violations, especially those involving threats or violence, the superintendent or their designee, in consultation with district police and legal counsel, may issue a criminal trespass notice.
- This notice will formally forbid the individual from entering school property or attending any school-sponsored event for a significant period.
- All incidents will be thoroughly documented, including the specific conduct, date, time, and location.
- An individual receiving a notice of trespass or suspension will be given notice of the reasons for the restriction and an opportunity to challenge the decision.