Upstate Homeschool Co-op’s (hereinafter referred to as UHC) is committed to promoting the safety and security of students, visitors, faculty, and staff, as well as preserving the security of physical resources and our Mission. Consistent with these requirements and prudent practices, UHC will conduct criminal background investigations for employment, for all members who help with students, all teachers, and all staff (with or without pay) as outlined in our policy. In addition, the below guidelines for criminal accusations, charges, or any other criminal record for students are also enforced to support the mission and safety of our overall environment.

UHC must be notified when:

1. The Student is/was involved in/accused of/charged for any criminal activity (defined as activities engaged in by student(s) which result in violence to oneself or another’s person or property which pose a threat to the safety of oneself or others in the organization or disruption of the organization’s mission), even if no sufficient evidence and no formal proceedings occurred.
2. Notify/Update UHC if the court or jury found a student guilty or not guilty, or made a finding that the student did not engage in delinquent conduct or conduct and the case was dismissed with prejudice.
3. The Executive Director or designee will review the student’s placement and schedule a meeting with the student’s parent once the Executive Director or designee receives notice.
   1. The student may not return to the regular classroom pending the review.
   2. After reviewing the notice and receiving information from the student’s parent and any other relevant information as determined at the sole discretion of UHC, the Executive Director or designee may decide to remove, expel or suspend the student or not allow them back into class if there is reason to believe that the presence of the student in the regular classroom threatens the safety of other students or teachers or if the return to class or initial placement of the student is not in the best interest of UHC’s program at the sole discretion of UHC.
   3. The decision to allow or disallow the potential enrollment or current enrollment of a student is subject to revision and review at any time, upon petition by the parent, based upon new information, or upon UHC receiving new information from any source.
4. A student with criminal activity will not be allowed to enroll or continue their enrollment at UHC until the Executive Director or designee determines that the student is not a threat to the safety of others or is a disruption to UHC’s Mission and operations thereby impacting other students/members/or employees. UHC has sole discretion regarding the decision of enrollment and/or continued enrollment of all students.
5. Criminal Misconduct Defined: Criminal Activity defined as activities engaged in by student(s) which result in violence to oneself or another’s person or property which pose a threat to the safety of oneself or others in the organization or disruption of the organization’s mission.