Suspension and Expulsion Procedures

Short Term Suspension

A short-term suspension is a suspension of 10 school days or less. Following an investigation, the principal or a designee has the authority to determine that a student has violated a rule that may require a suspension of 10 days or less. If the parent desires to appeal an out of school short-term suspension, he/she should follow the procedures below.

Written Request for Appeal

If the student is suspended by the principal's designee, the appeal is to the building principal. The parent must request in writing a review of the suspension decision within three (3) school days or the decision becomes final.

The principal will review the incident, and within three (3) school days after the receipt of the written request, notify the parent of the decision. A letter stating the decision will be mailed to the parent.

If the parent requests an appeal of the principal's decision to suspend a student, the written request must be submitted within three (3) school days of the principal's decision or the decision becomes final. A letter of appeal shall be filed with the Elementary School Leadership Department (grades PreK-5) or Secondary School Leadership Department (grades 6-12).

Within three (3) school days after the receipt of the notice of appeal, the division Superintendent's designee (the Executive Director of Elementary or Secondary School Leadership, or their designee) will review the actions taken by the principal/designee, and confirm or disapprove such action based on an examination of the record of the student's behavior.

The decision of the division Superintendent's designee shall be final.

Short Term Suspension Programs

These community based programs are designed to assist students with tutorial services while they are out of school. The programs are open to all students who have been suspended from school for 10 school days or less.

Parents are responsible for obtaining classwork from the school and returning it to school for grading.

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Long Term Suspension or Expulsion

A long-term suspension is a suspension of 11 school days but less than 364 calendar days. An expulsion is an exclusion of 365 calendar days. Following an investigation, the principal has the authority to recommend long-term suspension or expulsion if a student has violated a rule that requires long-term suspension or expulsion. The principal notifies the student and parent that the student will be recommended for long-term suspension or expulsion. The principal will suspend the student for 10 days with a recommendation for long-term suspension or expulsion and forward it to the Secondary School Leadership Department.

• The student and parent will be advised by the principal that an administrative interview by the Executive Director of Secondary Leadership or designee will be conducted regarding the incident and that a hearing before the School Board Review Committee will be conducted, if necessary.
• The Executive Director of Secondary School Leadership or designee will attempt to contact all parties involved in the incident.
• The Executive Director of Secondary School Leadership or designee will assess the situation and may conduct an additional investigation.
• The Executive Director of Secondary School Leadership or designee has the authority to handle long-term suspension recommendations without a School Board Review Committee hearing if the parent waives in writing the right to a hearing before the School Board Review Committee.
• A student who has been long-term suspended or expelled may be permitted to attend an alternative education program provided by the school division.
• The parent may decline to accept a decision by the Executive Director of Secondary School Leadership/designee for long term suspension and request a hearing before the School Board Review Committee. The Executive Director of Secondary School Leadership or designee will schedule the case on the School Board Review Committee agenda.
• Every effort is made to conduct the School Board Review Committee hearing for a long-term suspension or expulsion case within ten (10) school days after the initial 10 school day suspension; however, there are occasions when this is not possible.

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Due Process Procedures (Level 3 through Level 7 Actions)

When a student is sent to the principal or designee for any disciplinary action or conference concerning an incident, the steps listed below must be followed. These guidelines for disciplinary action constitute a hearing for the student and represent the due process procedures that are required.

The Principal or Designee:

• Advises the student of the charge(s).
• Advises the student of the facts on which the charge(s) are based.
• Gives the student an opportunity to respond to the charge(s) and to provide his/her version. The student is asked to give a written or verbal statement concerning the incident.
• Provides written verification of the proposed disciplinary action to the parent.
• Makes every effort to notify the student's parent by telephone, if action is going to be taken immediately to suspend the student based on the guidelines in the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.
• Provides written notification of the action taken to the Secondary School Leadership Department (Level 6 and Level 7 only).
• Students whose presence poses a continuing danger to persons or property or an on-going threat of disruption may be removed from school immediately. The notice of the charges, explanation of facts and opportunity to present his/her version of what occurred, shall be provided as soon as practical thereafter.