School Safety
The Petal School District recognizes the importance of a safe and secure environment and has specific measures in place to ensure the safety of our students and staff so they can focus on what matters most: learning and growing.
PSD Police Force
The Petal School District (PSD) operates its police force by the requirements and regulations of the Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards & Training. PSD employs certified law enforcement officers as school resource officers. PSD officers are certified by the State of Mississippi and are vested with the power to keep and preserve the peace on school property, including the power to make arrests, detain violators and execute all the powers of a constable.
The Petal School Police Department consists of multiple sworn officers who are assigned to schools throughout the district to serve and protect over 4,000 students, faculty and staff. School officers are responsible for campus patrol; initial case investigations; subsequent follow-up; and when necessary, making arrests.
Additionally, the officers provide classroom presentations, counsel students and parents, engage students through mentoring and serve as positive role models to help promote healthy relationships between youth and law enforcement.
Report Bullying
STUDENT COMPLAINTS OF BULLYING OR HARASSING BEHAVIOR - PROCEDURES
I. Procedures for Reporting a Complaint
Any student, school employee or volunteer who feels they have been a victim of bullying or harassing behavior, or has witnessed or who has reliable information that a student, school employee, or volunteer has been subject to bullying or harassing behavior shall report such conduct to a teacher, principal, counselor, or other school official. The report shall be made promptly, but no later than five (5) calendar days after the alleged act or acts occurred. (HB 263-D)
The school official shall complete a “Bullying/Harassing Behavior” complaint form which shall include the name of the reporting person, the specific nature and date of the misconduct, the name(s) of the victim(s) of the misconduct, the name(s) of any witness(es) and any other information that would assist in the investigation of the complaint. The report shall be given promptly to the principal or superintendent who shall institute an immediate investigation. Complaints against the principal shall be made to the superintendent, and complaints against the superintendent shall be made to the Board chairman. The complaint shall be investigated promptly. (HB 263-F)
Parents or guardians will be notified of the nature of any complaint involving their student. The District official will arrange such meetings as may be necessary with all concerned parties within five (5) working days after initial receipt of the complaint by the District. The parties will have an opportunity to submit evidence and a list of witnesses. All findings related to the complaint will be reduced to writing. The District official conducting the investigation shall notify the victim and parents as appropriate when the investigation is completed and a decision regarding disciplinary action, as warranted, is determined. (HB 263 - C)
If the victim is not satisfied with the decision of the District official, they may submit a written appeal to the superintendent. Such appeal shall be filed within ten (10) working days after receipt of the results of the initial decision. The superintendent will arrange such meetings with the victim and other affected parties as deemed necessary to discuss the appeal. The superintendent shall provide a written decision to the victim’s appeal within ten (10) working days.
If the victim is not satisfied with the decision of the superintendent, a written appeal may be filed with the Board. Such appeal shall be filed within ten (10) working days after receipt of the decision of the superintendent. The Board shall, within twenty (20) working days, allow the victim and parents as appropriate to appear before the Board to present reasons for dissatisfaction with the decision of the superintendent. The Board shall provide a written decision within ten (10) working days following the victim’s appearance before the Board.
If, after an investigation, a student is found to be a victim of bullying, such student shall not face disciplinary action on the basis of that student's use of “reasonable self-defense was in response to the bullying” (HB 263-G & 2). If the victim of bullying is a student with disabilities, disciplinary action for the offender shall comply with the requirements of federal law including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 USCS Section 1400 et seq) (HB 263-H).
The procedures for reporting bullying shall also be posted on the district website (HB 263-3).
§ Legal Reference: MS Code of 1972 37-11-67 and 37-11-69
