Procedure for Suspension of 10 Days or Fewer

 

Through written policy the Board of Education has delegated to any school principal the power to suspend a student for not more than five or ten days, depending upon the type of infraction. The Superintendent has been delegated the power to suspend a student for additional periods of time. However, the total period of suspension assigned by the Superintendent shall not exceed 25 school days. As a general rule, a suspension will be 10 days or less.

Notice: The principal, designee, or the Superintendent at the time of contemplated action will give the student and the parent/guardian notice of the contemplated action. Such notice may be oral or in writing.

If oral, such notice will be given in person. If written, delivery may be by United States mail addressed to the last known address of the student or student’s parent/guardian.

 

Contents of Notice: The notice will contain the following basic information–a. A statement of the charges against the student; b. A statement of what the student is accused of doing; c. A statement of the basis of the allegation. Specific names may be withheld if necessary to shield a witness. This information need not be set out formally, but should sufficiently inform the student or parent/guardian of the basis for the contemplated action.

 

Informal Hearing: In an informal setting, the student will be given an opportunity to admit or deny the accusation and to give his or her version of the events. The administrator may allow the student to call witnesses or may personally call the accuser or other witnesses. The administrator may hold a more extensive hearing in order to gather relevant information prior to making a decision on the contemplated action.

 

Timing: The notice and informal hearing should precede removal of the student from school. There need be no delay between the time notice is given and the time of the hearing.

 

If the Student’s Presence in School Presents a Danger: Notice and an informal hearing need not be given prior to removal from school where a student’s presence poses a continuing danger to persons or property or an ongoing threat of disrupting the academic process. In this case, an informal hearing shall follow as soon after the pupil’s removal as practical.

 

Notification Following Suspension: If a student is suspended, the administrator delegated the authority to suspend will immediately notify the parent/guardian that the student has been suspended, the grounds for such suspension and the period of such suspension. The notification will include the time and place for the parent/guardian to meet with the administrator to review the suspension and discuss the readmission of the student.

 

Removal from School Grounds: The administrator will contact the parent/guardian to discuss the best way to transfer custody of the student to the parent/guardian so the suspended student can leave the school as soon as possible. If parent/guardian cannot be reached, the student will be allowed to go home at the regular time by the appropriate means, unless the child is a danger to self or others, or is in the custody of law enforcement.

 

Readmittance: No student will be readmitted to school until the meeting with the parent/guardian has taken place or until, in the opinion of the administrator, the parent/guardian has substantially agreed to review the suspension with the administrator. However, if the administrator cannot contact the parent/guardian or if the parent/guardian repeatedly fails to appear for scheduled meetings, the administrator may readmit the student. The meeting shall address whether there is a need to develop a remedial discipline plan for the student in an effort to prevent further disciplinary action.

 

Make-up Work: Suspended students shall be provided an opportunity to make up school work during the period of suspension, so the student is able to reintegrate into the educational program of the district following the period of suspension. Students will receive 100% credit for makeup work, which is completed satisfactorily.