San Francisco Unified School District and County Office of Education
Board Policy 3515.4
Recovery For Property Loss Or Damage
This Board Policy applies to the San Francisco Unified School District and the County Office of Education.
The Governing Board desires to create a safe and secure learning environment and to minimize acts of vandalism and damage to school property. When District property is damaged due to the willful misconduct of a student or other person, the District shall seek reimbursement of damages, within the limitations specified in law, from the parent/guardian of a minor child or from any other responsible individual.
(cf. 0450 – Comprehensive Safety Plan)
(cf. 3515 – Campus Security)
(cf. 4156.3/4256.3/4356.3 – Employee Property Reimbursement)
(cf. 4158/4258/4358 – Employee Security)
(cf. 5131 – Conduct)
(cf. 5131.5 – Vandalism and Graffiti)
(cf. 5136 – Gangs)
(cf. 5144.1 – Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)
The District may collect debt owed by a student or former student as a result of vandalism or to cover the replacement cost of District books, supplies, or property loaned to a student that the student willfully fails to return or that is willfully cut, defaced, or otherwise injured. However, this policy shall not apply to a student who is a current or former homeless or foster child or youth. (Education Code 48904, 49014)
(cf. 5125.2 – Withholding Grades, Diploma or Transcripts)
(cf. 6173 – Education for Homeless Children)
(cf. 6173.1 – Education for Foster Youth)
Rewards
The Board may offer and pay a reward for information leading to the determination of the identity of, and the apprehension of, any person who willfully damages or destroys any District property. (Government Code 53069.5)
The Board authorizes the Superintendent or designee to offer a reward in any amount deemed appropriate, not exceeding ,500. A reward in excess of ,500 shall be authorized in advance by the Board.
The Superintendent or designee shall disburse the reward when the guilt of the person responsible for the act has been established by a criminal conviction or other appropriate judicial procedure. If more than one person provides information, the reward shall be divided among them as appropriate.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
19910 Libraries, malicious cutting, tearing, defacing, breaking or injuring
19911 Libraries, willful detention of property
44810 Willful interference with classroom conduct
48904 Liability of parent/guardian for willful misconduct
49014 Public School Fair Debt Collection Act
CIVIL CODE
1714.1 Liability of parent or guardian for act of willful misconduct by a minor
GOVERNMENT CODE
53069.5 Reward for information concerning person causing death, injury, or property damage
53069.6 Actions to recover damages
54951 Local agency, definition
PENAL CODE
484 Theft defined
594 Vandalism
594.1 Aerosol paint and etching cream
640.5 Graffiti; facilities or vehicles of governmental entity
640.6 Graffiti
Management Resources:
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov
Judicial Council of California: http://www.courts.ca.gov
Please note that compare references, or “cf”, refer to CSBA model policies and do not necessarily indicate that the San Francisco Unified School District has adopted the referenced policy.