LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY BULLETIN

Transcripción

1 TITLE: NUMBER: ISSUER: DATE: Restitution Procedures for the Loss or Damage of School Property Judy Elliott, Ph.D., Chief Academic Officer Office of Curriculum, Instruction, & School Support ROUTING Local District Superintendents Directors Principals Library Media Personnel Fiscal Specialists POLICY: PURPOSE: BACKGROUND: A student s parent or guardian is liable for any Los Angeles Unified School District (District) property that student loses or damages. After due process, a student s grades, diploma, and transcripts can be withheld until the student or parent/guardian pays for the lost or damaged property. This Bulletin replaces Bulletin No. N-7 (Rev.), with the same title, dated November 12, 1999, to update contact information and Education Code changes. California Education Code section states that the parent or guardian of a minor is liable to a school district for all property loaned to and failed to be returned, or willfully damaged by a minor. The liability shall not exceed $10,000. In addition, it authorizes school districts, after affording the student due process rights, to withhold the grades, diploma, and transcripts of a student until the student or parent/guardian pays for the lost or damaged school property, e.g., textbooks, library books, graffiti, computers, shop materials, physical education clothes, and sports equipment. It also provides for a program of voluntary work for the minor in lieu of the payment of monetary damages. Teachers and other District employees, under the direction of the principal, are held responsible for the proper use and control of school property, equipment, materials, and supplies, particularly such property as is located in the room or rooms to which they are assigned (Board Rule 1704 and UTLA-District Agreement article IX. 4.0 Other Professional Duties ). It is the policy of the District to seek restitution when a student, among other things, willfully cuts, defaces, or otherwise injures any property, or loses or fails to return property, real or personal, belonging to the school District or school employee. The parent/guardian is liable for such damages, not exceeding $10,000. In cases of the above types of loss or damage, the school must attempt to identify the student(s) responsible and the amount of the loss in accordance with the procedures as outlined in this bulletin. 1 of 7

2 In the case of theft or vandalism, the school administrator shall consult with School Police to determine any criminal justice recourse. If a criminal case is filed, the courts may order restitution upon successful prosecution. The Division of Risk Management and Insurance Services will then pursue the collection of court-ordered restitution. In cases where no criminal charges are filed, the school is responsible for the collection of damages from the student and parent/guardian. The authority to withhold grades, diploma, or transcripts applies only to situations where the student, parent or guardian have requested a copy of the student s records. When a student transfers to another K-12 school or school district, a copy of the student s permanent record must be sent to the requesting K-12 school or district even though there may be charges or fees owed by the student, parent,,or guardian. (5 CCR 438). In such cases, upon sending the permanent student record to the new (receiving) school, the new school shall be notified of the restitution debt so that the new school may likewise withhold the grades, diploma, or transcripts. (Education Code section ) PROCEDURES: Responsibilities of the School Policy Implementation 1. The school shall adopt an accounting system that clearly identifies the student and the type of school property issued to the student. No student shall have marks, diploma, or transcripts withheld in the absence of satisfactory evidence of an accounting (inventory) system for school and/or District property. 2. At the time of enrollment or at the beginning of each school year, the school shall notify the student and parent or guardian of the District s and school s policies regarding financial responsibility for school property that is not returned or where the student causes damage to school property. The school policy shall be reviewed with students in the appropriate classrooms or homeroom. Attachment A contains a sample beginning of the school year responsibility letter to parents in English and Spanish. Attachment B is a sample debt notification letter. 3. The school shall develop a restitution process by which students are afforded the opportunity to return the property, pay for the damages, or participate in a voluntary work program in lieu of payment of the monetary amount owed. This process shall be approved by the School Site Council, consistent with its role in deciding matters related to student discipline. Upon completion of the voluntary work, the debt is discharged and any withheld grades, diploma, or transcripts of the student shall be released. 2 of 7

3 4. The school shall adopt a due process procedure that allows the parent, guardian, or student an opportunity to review, discuss, and respond to the imposition of any fees or charges as a result of this policy. 5. The school shall follow District policies for the accounting and receipt of money from the student or parent/guardian. Responsibilities of the School Parent Notification 1. The parent or guardian shall be informed in writing immediately after any alleged loss which gives rise to an obligation under Section of the Education Code. 2. The parent or guardian may present information on behalf of the student, during a conference at the school, as to the reasons why a fee should not be imposed. 3. The principal/designee shall, after reviewing any information presented during this meeting, decide whether or not to withhold the marks, diploma, or transcripts and/or impose the fee for damages. The parent/guardian and student shall be notified in writing of the decision. The decision of the principal is final, and there is no appeal beyond the school level. 4. Upon receiving notification of the school s decision, the parent or guardian may, if necessary, pay the outstanding obligation, or the student may complete a voluntary work assignment determined by the school. 5. Upon satisfactory completion of the school voluntary work assignment, the marks, diploma, or transcripts shall be released and /or the debt discharged. ASSISTANCE: For assistance or further information regarding library books and textbooks, please contact Nancy Reich, Specialist, Library Services, at (213) , Rick Hassler, Specialist, Textbook Services, at (213) , or Esther Sinofsky, Director, Instructional Media Services, at (213) For assistance or further information regarding computers, please contact Anna Cortez, Equipment Replacement Fund (Division of Risk Management and Insurance Services), at (213) of 7

4 ATTACHMENT A [SAMPLE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR RESPONSIBILITY LETTER] RE: FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGED SCHOOL PROPERTY Dear Parents/Guardians: This letter is to inform you of your legal responsibility with regard to property of the Los Angeles Unified School District (District). California Education Code section states, in pertinent part, that the parent or guardian of any minor who willfully cuts, defaces, or otherwise injures any real or personal property of the District or its employees shall be liable for all damages caused by the minor up to $10,000. District property includes buildings and grounds, as well as textbooks, library books, computers, shop materials, physical education clothes, and sports equipment. A parent or guardian is liable to the District for all District property loaned to a minor and not returned upon demand. We will be discussing the meaning of this responsibility will all students. We need your help in making sure that District property is kept in good condition and that loaned items are returned to school upon demand. Parents will be expected to pay the replacement or repair cost for any lost or damaged District property. The school is legally authorized to withhold the grades, diploma, and transcripts of students until the obligation is cleared. The following are ways to help your student understand this responsibility: Model careful handling of textbooks, library books, and other school property. Help students find a safe place to keep books during the borrowing period. Inform students that vandalism is not only a crime, but parents or guardians may be held financially responsible for the damage. We look forward to a successful school year with your student. (Signed by the School Principal or Designee) 4 of 7

5 ATTACHMENT A RESPONSABILIDADES FINANCIERAS PARA LA PROPIEDAD DAÑADA DE EL DISTRITO Estimado padres de familia o tutores: El propósito de esta carta es de informarles acerca de sus responsabilidades con relación a las propiedades de El Distrito Escolar Unificado de Los Angeles. El articulo de el Código de Educación especifica que, el padre o guardián de un menor de edad que intensionalmente dañe cualquier objeto que sea propiedad de El Distrito Unificado de Los Angeles, o de sus empleados, será obligado a pagar todos los daños causados por el menor de edad. El padre de familia o guardián puede ser obligado a pagar una cantidad de hasta $10,000. Propiedades de El Distrito incluyen edificios, jardines y patios, libros de textos, libros de biblioteca, computadoras, materiales que estén a la venta, ropa de educación física y equipos deportivos. El padre de familia o el guardián legal es responsable de entregar, cuando sean requeridos, los objetos que han sido prestados al menor de edad y que pertenecen a El Distrito. Los estudiantes serán informados del significado de estas responsabilidades. Necesitamos su ayuda para asegurarnos que la propiedad de El Distrito se conserve en buenas condiciones y que los objetos prestados a los estudiantes sean devueltos a las escuelas cuando sean requeridos. Los Padres serán responsables de reemplazar o de pagar el costo de cualquier objeto que pertenezca a El Distrito y que se ha perdido o dañado. La escuela esta autorizada legalmente a detener las calificaciones, diplomas, y constancia de calificaciones de los estudiantes hasta que todas las responsabilidades sean aclaradas. He aquí algunas sugerencias para ayudar a que su hijo/a asume esta responsabilidad Muéstreles como tratar cuidadosamente los libros de textos, libros de biblioteca y cualquier propiedad de El Distrito. Ayude a su hijo/a a encontrar un lugar seguro en donde pueda guardar sus libros durante el tiempo que se le han prestado. Infórmele a su hijo/a que destruir propiedad ajena no solamente es un crimen pero que también son gastos que usted como padre de familia tiene que pagar. Esperamos tener un año escolar muy prospero con su estudiante. (Firma de el director or directora de la escuela, o de la persona asignada) 5 of 7

6 ATTACHMENT B SAMPLE DEBT NOTIFICATION LETTER Dear Parents/Guardians: According to our records, [Insert student s name here], has lost or failed to return the following school property: (List debt obligation item and/or cost here) Section of the Education Code provides that parents/guardians are responsible for property loaned to students; therefore, we are requesting that the above-listed materials be returned to the school or payment made by [Insert due date here]. Our school is authorized to withhold the grades, diploma, and transcripts of the student until the debt is cleared. You have an opportunity to review, discuss, and respond to the imposition of any fees or charges. For your information, our school provides a program of voluntary work in lieu of payment of monetary damages. If you have any questions or concerns about this letter, please contact [Insert contact person s name here] at [Insert phone number here]. Sincerely, (Signed by the School Principal or Designee) 6 of 7

7 ATTACHMENT B MUESTRA DE LA CARTA PARA DAR AVISO DE UNA DEUDA Estimado(s) padre(s) o tutore(s): De acuerdo a nuestros registros, [Insert student s name here], ha perdido o no ha regresado lo que se menciona a continuación, lo cual es propiedad de la escuela: (Enumérense los artículos a pagar obligatoriamente, y su costo) El artículo del Código de Educación dispone que los padres o tutores son responsables de los bienes que se hayan prestado a los estudiantes; por consiguiente, le(s) pedimos que regrese(n) a la escuela los materiales enumerados anteriormente o que los pague(n)para [Insert due date here]. Nuestra escuela está autorizada para retener las calificaciones escolares, los diplomas, y las constancias de estudios de los alumnos hasta que se pague la deuda. Usted(es) tiene(n) la oportunidad de revisar, discutir, y apelar cualquier cargo o cuota que se le(s) imponga(n). Deseamos que sepa(n) que nuestra escuela proporciona un programa de trabajo voluntario en lugar del pago monetario por los daños y perjuicios. Si tiene(n) alguna pregunta respecto a esta carta, por favor, llame(n) a [Insert contact person s name here], al [Insert phone number here]. Atentamente, (Firma del director o directora de la escuela, o de la persona asignada) 7 of 7