A short-term suspension is the disciplinary exclusion of a student from attending his or her assigned school for up to 10 school days. A short-term suspension does not include (1) the removal of a student from class by the classroom teacher, the principal or other authorized school personnel for the remainder of the subject period or for less than one-half of the school day or (2) the changing of a student’s location to another room or place on the school premises. A student who is placed on a short-term suspension will not be permitted to be on school property or to take part in any school function during the period of suspension without prior approval from the principal.
The principal or designee has the authority to determine when a short-term suspension is an appropriate consequence and to impose the suspension, so long as all relevant board policies are followed.
In accordance with G.S. 115C-390.6(e) and 115C-45(c)(1), a student is not entitled to appeal the principal’s decision to impose a short-term suspension to either the superintendent or the board unless it is appealable on some other basis.
A. PRE-SUSPENSION RIGHTS OF THE STUDENT
Except in the circumstances described below, a student must be provided with an opportunity for an informal hearing with the principal before a short-term suspension is imposed. The principal may hold the hearing immediately after giving the student oral or written notice of the charges against him or her. At the informal hearing, the student has the right to be present, to be informed of the charges and the basis for the accusations against him or her, and to make statements in defense or mitigation of the charges.
The principal may impose a short-term suspension without first providing the student with an opportunity for a hearing if the presence of the student (1) creates a direct and immediate threat to the safety of other students or staff or (2) substantially disrupts or interferes with the education of other students or the maintenance of discipline at the school. In such cases, the principal shall give the student notice of the charges and an opportunity for an informal hearing as soon as practicable.
B. STUDENT RIGHTS DURING THE SUSPENSION
A student under a short-term suspension must be provided with the following:
1. the opportunity to take textbooks home for the duration of the suspension;
2. upon request, the right to receive all missed assignments and, to the extent practicable, the materials distributed to students in connection with such assignments; and
3. the opportunity to take any quarterly, semester or grading period examinations missed during the suspension period.
C. NOTICE TO PARENT OR GUARDIAN
When imposing a short-term suspension, the principal or designee shall provide the student’s parent or guardian with notice that includesthe reason for the suspension and a description of the student conduct upon which the suspension is based. The principal or designee must give this notice by the end of the workday during which the suspension is imposed when reasonably possible, but in no event more than two days after the suspension is imposed. If English is the second language of the parent, the notice must be provided in English and in the parent’s primary language, when the appropriate foreign language resources are readily available. Both versions must be in plain language and easily understandable.
The initial notice may be by telephone, but it must be followed by timely written notice. The written notice must include all of the information listed above and may be sent by fax, e-mail or any other method reasonably designed to give actual notice. School officials also shall maintain a copy of the written notice in the student’s educational record.
Multiple short-term suspensions for a student with disabilities will be addressed in accordance with the Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities and other applicable state and federal law.
Legal References: Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq., 28 C.F.R. pt. 35; Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq., 34 C.F.R. pt. 300; Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 705(20), 794, 34 C.F.R. pt. 104; G.S. 115C art. 9; 115C-45 (c);115C-47, - 276(r), -288, -307, -390.1, -390.2, -390.5, -390.6; Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities, State Board of Education Policy GCS-D-000
Cross References: School Safety (policy 1510/4200/7270), School Plan for Management of Student Behavior (policy 4302), School-Level Investigations (policy 4340), Process for Addressing Misbehavior ( policy 4340) Parental Involvement in Student Behavior Issues (policy 4341), Removal of Student During the Day (policy 4352)
Adopted: June 16, 2014
Revised: August 3, 2015