CHAPTER 5.00 - STUDENTS

5.26 Corporal Punishment 

The principal or his designee shall give his approval of the use of corporal punishment before it is used. Approval may be given through a general delegation of authority to staff members. The principal shall prepare guidelines for administering such punishment  identifying the types of punishable offenses, the conditions under which the punishment shall be administered, and the specific personnel on the school staff authorized to administer the punishment. 

(1) Corporal punishment shall be administered only by the principal or by a member of the administrative or instructional staff in the presence of another adult employee  of the school, who has been informed of the reason for the punishment in the  presence of the student. 

(2) Before using corporal punishment, the school must obtain consent from the parent/guardian. Such consent may encompass the entire school year, or it may be obtained before each administration of corporal punishment. 

(3) Parents/guardians may revoke their consent to administer corporal punishment at any time. 

(4) In no case shall such punishment be unduly severe or degrading in its nature. 

(5) Any employee who has administered corporal punishment shall upon request,  provide the student’s parent or guardian with a written explanation of the reason for the punishment and the name of the other adult present. 

(6) This policy will be reviewed at a minimum of every three (3) years during a school  board meeting held pursuant to F.S. 1001.372. At this meeting the Board will take  public testimony on the matter. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in this policy authorizing corporal punishment to expire. 

STATUTORY AUTHORITY : 1001.372, 1001.41, 1001.42, F.S. 

LAWS IMPLEMENTED: 1002.20(4), 1003.32, F.S. 

History: Adopted: April 1, 1981 

Revision Date(s): July 1, 1996; January 14, 1999; February 9, 2010;  June 25, 2026 

Formerly: