level of resistance received in a matter can emphasize its importance. In the days leading up to the conference,


“You don’t belong here!” were the words offered to me by the enemy. However, the overpowering voice of the Spirit responded with, “You expect your staff, teachers, and students to step out of their comfort zones, don’t you? You are powerful through Me!”


The heads of school who attended the conference were purposefully picked from across the country to better represent all ACSI schools at our nation’s capital. In the weeks leading up to the conference, Tom Cathey, ACSI’s Director of Legal Legislative Affairs, encouraged the 20 ACSI heads of school to set appointment times with their respective senators and representatives. These face-to-face meetings were to take place on the final day of the conference.


George Tryfiates, ACSI’s Director for Government Affairs, scheduled a great line-up of speakers for Tuesday’s briefing meetings on Capitol Hill. Conference heads of school heard from Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Representative Steve Russell (R-OK), and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) in the Cannon House Office Building. These elected officials and other special speakers informed attendees of current legislative topics concerning our schools and encouraged the attendees in the importance of their work.


Wednesday morning arrived with the reality that on this day, these 20 heads of school would be representing


Jury Box Dealing with Discipline and School Policy


H. K. was an eighth grade student at Noor-Ul-Iman School in New Jersey. H. K. had achieved great academic success at the school. However, in May of that school year, H. K. was questioned by the staff regarding allegations that he violated the school’s “Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy” (HIB Policy). During the interrogation of H. K., the staff “called H. K. a liar” and “repeatedly told him to admit that he was involved in the incidents” alleged by other students. The staff also “instructed H. K. to write a statement” in response to the allegations of misconduct without ever identifying the exact nature of the allegations. H. K. was questioned for two to three hours before calling his parents. When the parents finally met with school officials later that day, they were instructed to keep H. K. home until the school completed its investigation into the allegations.


The school’s “Behavioral Code,” contained in its Parent/ Student Handbook (Handbook), incorporated the HIB policy (collectively, the “policies”) and provided nearly identical provisions regarding what conduct is subject to discipline and how disciplinary matters were to be handled. The policies called for an escalating disciplinary process for the handling of student behavioral issues. The Handbook provided:


40 | 27.2


The teacher will handle most disciplinary actions within the classroom. The teacher will inform the parent verbally and/ or in writing if a student’s misbehavior needs to be addressed [at home]. . . . [If] the behavior of the student continues to be inappropriate, a conference may be requested with the parents and teacher(s) to determine how to rectify the situation. In unresolved or severe cases, a conference of the parents, teacher(s), and the Head of School or a School Administrative Council [(SAC)] Member will be requested.


In the event that the student’s misbehavior is repeated or severe, (as determined by the [SAC], it may lead to any of the following:


1. After-school detention with parent notification 2. Out-of[-]school suspension with parent conference 3. Expulsion of student . . . .


The HIB policy further specified how complaints of harassment, intimidation, or bullying would be investigated:


[T]he teacher(s), principal or School Executive Committee will conduct a prompt, thorough and complete investigation of each alleged incident. . . . At the conclusion of an investigation, the [investigating party] will submit a confidential written report with the findings of the investigation. If a finding of harassment, intimidation or bullying is substantiated, the [investigating party] will recommend appropriate corrective action.


© 2016 by the Association of Christian Schools International


ACSI member-schools in the nation’s capital. Conference attendees met with Congressional legislative aides and shared the legislative matters that are currently priorities for ACSI schools. They shared stories of the work you do each day. They shared how our Christian schools need protection to continue operating with faith- based principles in this great nation of ours.


Did the words spoken to legislators and legislative aides impact policy? We may never know. But I can say with certainty that if no one goes and shares our concerns with elected legislators, they cannot know the great work we do in our communities and our need for continued freedom to teach as we choose. In addition, the legislators who are fighting for our concerns need encouragement to continue the fight for our religious freedom.


I learned we have some incredible elected officials serving us. We need to pray for them and not be afraid to reach out to them. If we can get them to visit our campuses, maybe they will see our good work and we will be able to glorify our Father, which is in Heaven.


Matt Gaines is director of Southern Maryland Christian Academy in White Plains, Maryland. He is an active participant in the state-level ACSIMD and attended his first ACSI National Legislative Conference in September 2016. This article was first published in the ACSIMD electronic newsletter October 28, 2016.


See The Verdict on page 47. .


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