As regards criminality, however, and most certainly regarding the felony crime of arson, these ''rules'' are simply irrelevant, and, were I the student involved, I should sue any school personnel, and the district, within an inch of their lives regarding the censure imposed on me.
The school's and the district's remedies regarding student behaviour are limited, very, very, strictly. The little jerk who burnt the flag probably deserves a paddling, a good one, but there is, sadly and especially in blue states, a prohibition against stopping a problem where and when it begins.
Doing so, unfortunately, would deprive the taxpayers of paying for another non-solution, year on year on year.
I found this in the Arizona Code, Title 13:
13-1701. Definitions
1. In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Damage" means any physical or visual impairment of any surface.
2. "Occupied structure" means any structure as defined in paragraph 4 in which one or more human beings either is or is likely to be present or so near as to be in equivalent danger at the time the fire or explosion occurs. The term includes any dwelling house, whether occupied, unoccupied or vacant.
3. "Property" means anything other than a structure which has value, tangible or intangible, public or private, real or personal, including documents evidencing value or ownership.
4. "Structure" means any building, object, vehicle, watercraft, aircraft or place with sides and a floor, used for lodging, business, transportation, recreation or storage....
13-1703. Arson of a structure or property; classification
1. A. A person commits arson of a structure or property by knowingly and unlawfully damaging a structure or property by knowingly causing a fire or explosion.
B. Arson of a structure is a class 4 felony. Arson of property is a class 4 felony if the property had a value of more than one thousand dollars. Arson of property is a class 5 felony if the property had a value of more than one hundred dollars but not more than one thousand dollars. Arson of property is a class 1 misdemeanor if the property had a value of one hundred dollars or less.
13-1708. Unlawful symbol burning; classification
2. A. It is unlawful for a person to burn or cause to be burned any symbol not addressed by section 13-1707 on the property of another person without that person's permission or on a highway or any other public place with the intent to intimidate any person or group of persons. The intent to intimidate may not be inferred solely from the act of burning the symbol, but shall be proven by independent evidence.
B. A person who violates this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.
This also for thought in the Arizona Code title 13, which may apply to the people trying to raise the flag of Mexico in such an in-your-face way:
13-2904. Disorderly conduct; classification
1. A. A person commits disorderly conduct if, with intent to disturb the peace or quiet of a neighborhood, family or person, or with knowledge of doing so, such person:
1. Engages in fighting, violent or seriously disruptive behavior; or
... or
3. Uses abusive or offensive language or gestures to any person present in a manner likely to provoke immediate physical retaliation by such person; or
4. Makes any protracted commotion, utterance or display with the intent to prevent the transaction of the business of a lawful meeting, gathering or procession; or
...
B. Disorderly conduct under subsection A, ... paragraph 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 is a class 1 misdemeanor
The protestors are as guilty of a crime as the lad who defended the US! I say "Bully!"