Edmonds School District No. 15
Lynnwood, WA 98036-5789

8220-R1 - PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS GOVERNING STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Adopted
6/21/71

Revised
5/15/72
4/16/73
2/21/78
9/4/79
9/2/80
8/19/86
6/21/88
7/6/93
11/16/93
11/30/94
9/11/95
9/25/95
10/1/96
2/28/97
2/28/00
6/10/02
2/2/04

Section I: DEFINITIONS

As used in this policy the term:

1. "Discipline" shall mean all forms of corrective action other than suspension and expulsion and shall include the exclusion of a student from a class or instructional activity by a teacher, administrator, or designee for a period of time not exceeding the balance of the immediate class, subject, or instructional activity period: PROVIDED, that the student is in the custody of a school district employee for the balance of such period. Discipline also includes exclusion from nonacademic activities (sports, clubs, bus, cafeteria, etc.) for any length of time.

2. "Suspension" shall mean a denial of attendance (other than for the balance of the immediate class, subject, or activity period for "discipline" purposes) at any single subject or class, or at any full schedule of subjects or classes, or at any other type of instructional activity conducted by or on behalf of the school district, and any combination of the foregoing, for a stated period of time. A suspension also may include a denial of admission to or entry upon real and personal property that is owned, leased, rented, or controlled by the school district.

3. "Short-term suspension" shall mean a suspension for any portion of a school day up to and not exceeding ten consecutive school days.

4. "Long-term suspension" shall mean a suspension which exceeds a short-term suspension.

5. "Expulsion" shall mean a denial of attendance at any single subject or class or at any full schedule of subjects or classes, or at any other type of instructional activity conducted by or on behalf of the district, and/or any combination of the foregoing, for an indefinite period of time. An expulsion also may include a denial of admission to or entry upon real and personal property that is owned, leased, rented, or controlled by the district.

6. "Temporary suspension/expulsion" shall mean a "long-term suspension" or nonemergency "expulsion" that is temporarily imposed by the district after an initial hearing before a hearing officer for no more than ten consecutive school days or until the appeal is decided, whichever is the shortest period.

7. "Emergency Expulsion" shall mean an immediate removal of the student from school and shall include denial of attendance within the school district and at any school-sponsored activity until modified in accordance with the provisions of this policy.

8. "Exceptional Misconduct" is student misconduct which (a) is of frequent occurrence, despite past attempts of district personnel to control such misconduct; or (b) is so serious in nature, or so serious in terms of the disruptive effect upon the operation of the school as to warrant an immediate resort to a short-term or a long-term suspension or expulsion.

The following acts have been identified by an ad hoc citizens committee as "exceptional misconduct":

a. being under the influence of or the use, possession, sale, offering for sale, or distribution of alcohol;
b. being under the influence of or the use, possession, sale, offering for sale, or distribution of controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, or other substances that could result in cognitive, mental, physical, or psychological impairment.
c. assault or battery;
d. lewd conduct, indecent exposure, use of obscenity or profanity (oral, written or gestured);
e. arson;
f. the use, possession, or sale of explosive devices;
g. possession of firearms, weapons, or other dangerous objects, including toy or facsimile weapons;
h. vandalism;
i. burglary;
j. extortion;
k. false alarms;
l. robbery or theft;
m. malicious mischief or endangering the health and safety of self or others;
n. possession of stolen property;
o. unlawful interference with or intimidation of school authorities;
p. failure to submit to lawful supervisory or disciplinary authority of the district and school;
q. failure to identify oneself;
r. failure to submit to reasonable corrective action imposed by the district or its authorized employees;
s. fighting;
t. lying or misrepresentation;
u. bullying, harassment and intimidation;
v. forgery;
w. threat;
x. sexual harassment;
y. use of tobacco products, including the posession of any form of tobacco or other smoking material; and
z. commission of any act classified as a felony or gross misdemeanor under the laws of the State of Washington.

9. "School business day" shall mean any calendar day, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and any federal and school holidays, upon which the office of the superintendent of the school district is open to the public for the conduct of business. A school business day shall be concluded or terminated upon the closure of said office to the public for the conduct of business for the calendar day.

Section II: STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Each student shall be responsible to pursue his or her course of studies, comply with written rules and regulations of Edmonds School District which are adopted pursuant to and in compliance with state law and regulation and this policy, and submit to reasonable corrective action imposed by the school district and its agents for violation(s) of such rules.

Section III: STUDENT RIGHTS

Each student served by or in behalf of Edmonds School District shall possess the following substantive rights, and the school district shall not limit these rights except for good and sufficient cause:

1. No student shall be unlawfully denied access to the educational opportunity offered in this district;

2. No student shall be unlawfully discriminated against because of national origin, race, color, religion, economic status, sex, pregnancy, marital status, previous arrest, previous incarceration or a physical, mental or sensory handicap;

3. All students' constitutional rights shall be subject only to reasonable limitations upon the time, place, and manner of exercising such rights.

4. No student with an IEP shall be subjected to suspensions or expulsions totaling more than 10 school days in a school year without a review and concurrence by the child study or multidisciplinary team. The purpose of the review is to determine whether or not the behavior resulting in the corrective action is caused by the student's disability.

The foregoing enumeration of rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage other rights set forth in the Federal Constitution, the constitution and the laws of the State of Washington or the rights retained by the people. Any student who feels he/she has suffered discrimination on account of race, color, national origin, disability, or sex, in any disciplinary action may also use the district's equal educational opportunity grievance procedure.

Section IV: SCHOOL DISTRICT RULES DEFINING MISCONDUCT — DISTRIBUTION OF RULES

1. The district shall adopt, publish, and make available on an annual basis to all students and parents written rules which state with reasonable clarity the types of misconduct for which discipline, suspension, and expulsion may be imposed.

2. Rules that establish types of misconduct pursuant to this section must have a real and substantial relationship to the lawful maintenance and operation of the school district including, but not limited to, the preservation of the health and safety of students and employees and the preservation of an educational process which is conducive to learning.

3. Any pupil who willfully performs or fails to perform any act which materially interferes with or is detrimental to the orderly operation of a school, a school-sponsored activity, or any other aspect of the educational process of the school district shall be subject to discipline, suspension, or expulsion by authorized school district authorities. The following acts or omissions by a pupil on school premises or in reasonable proximity there to, on school provided transportation, or off school premises at any school-sponsored activity shall constitute sufficient cause for discipline, suspension, or expulsion:

• "exceptional misconduct" as defined in Section I.8.;
• disruptive conduct;
• disobedience of the reasonable instructions of school authorities;
• immoral conduct;
• vulgarity;
• truancy, unexcused absence(s) or tardiness;
• intimidation;
• cheating;
• plagiarism;
• the commission of any criminal act as defined by law; or
• violation of other school or district rules, regulations, or policies now or hereafter adopted.

4. The consequences of violations listed above shall be determined at the building level and shall be consistent with district policy and state and local law as applicable. The principal or his/her designee(s) shall have the responsibility to establish disciplinary standards appropriate to his/her particular school as he/she deems necessary and which bear a real and substantial relationship to the direct preservation of the students, staff, and public health and safety, or for the maintenance of the educational process.

Once these standards and consequences have been determined they will be published and made available to all students, parents, and staff.

Section V: PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO IMPOSE DISCIPLINE, SUSPENSION, EXPULSION, OR EMERGENCY REMOVAL UPON STUDENTS

1. Each certificated teacher, each school administrator, each school bus driver, and any other employee designated by the superintendent shall possess the authority to impose discipline upon a student for misconduct which violates rules of the school district established pursuant to Section IV and to impose an emergency removal from a class, subject, or activity upon a student pursuant to Section XVII and Policy 8245.

2. Subject to the limitations set forth herewith in connection with the suspension or expulsion of students, the following school district personnel are delegated the authority to suspend, expel, or order the emergency expulsion of students for any misconduct which violates the rules for student conduct: superintendent, assistant superintendent, principals, assistant principals, and any other district employee to whom such authority has been delegated by the superintendent. Each certificated teacher and each administrator shall possess the authority to recommend suspensions and expulsions for such misconduct which violates rules of the school district established pursuant to Section IV.

3. A student shall not be released from, nor denied, custody by school authorities due to discipline, suspension, or expulsion prior to notification of the parent, guardian, custodian, or other responsible adult. In cases of emergency expulsion, evidence of reasonable effort to so notify shall be deemed compliance with this requirement in lieu of said notification.

Section VI: DISCIPLINE — CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS

Discipline may be imposed upon any student for violation of the rules of the school district that have been established pursuant to Section IV, subject to the following limitations and conditions and the grievance procedure set forth in Section VII:

1. No form of "discipline" shall be enforced in such a manner as to prevent a student from accomplishing specific academic grade, subject, or graduation requirements.

2. A student's academic grade or credit in a particular subject or course may be adversely affected by reason of tardiness or absences only to the extent and upon the basis that the student's attendance and/or participation is related to and identified by the district-approved instructional objectives or goals of the particular subject or course as a basis for grading, in whole or in part, or as provided in Policy 8130.

3. Before a student is disciplined by removal from a teacher's class for the remainder of the class period or day, the teacher must have attempted one or more alternative forms of corrective action, except in emergency situations. A student may not return to class before the end of the class or activity period without the teacher's consent.

4. Building administrators shall have the responsibility for ensuring that written procedures for administering corrective action are developed for their schools with the input of parents, staff, and the community. The procedures shall provide that every reasonable attempt be made to involve parents and the student in the resolution of behavior problems at an early stage. The building administrator and staff shall meet at least annually to review building behavior standards and discuss uniform enforcement of those standards. All staff shall work cooperatively toward consistent enforcement of behavior standards.

5. Corporal punishment including hitting, spanking, slapping, or striking shall not be inflicted on any student by any district employee.

6. The use of physical restraint when reasonable and necessary to protect any person from physical injury or to prevent the commission of a crime is not prohibited under this policy.

7. For each full day of suspension, an alternative of four (4) hours may be offered up to a maximum of 48 hours for a semester suspension. Alternatives may include but are not limited to after school detention, Saturday School, community service, or providing a service to the school.

Section VII: DISCIPLINE — GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Any student, parent, or guardian who is aggrieved by the imposition of discipline shall have the right to an informal conference with the building principal or his/her designee for the purpose of resolving the grievance. The conference must be requested within three school days of the time the parent receives notice by mail or in person. The employee whose action is being grieved shall be notified of the initiation of a grievance as soon as reasonably possible. During such conference the student, parent, or guardian shall be subject to questioning by the building principal or his/her designee and shall be entitled to question school personnel involved in the matter being grieved. Subsequent to the building level grievance meeting, the student, parent, or guardian, upon two school business days' prior notice, shall have the right to present a written or oral grievance to the superintendent of the district or his/her designee. If the grievance is not resolved, the student, parent, or guardian, upon two school business days' prior notice, shall have the right to present a written or oral grievance to the board of directors during the board's next regular meeting. The board shall notify the student, parent, or guardian of its response to the grievance within 10 school business days after the date of the meeting. The discipline action shall continue notwithstanding the implementation of the grievance procedure set forth in this section unless the principal or his/her designee elects to postpone such action.

Section VIII: SHORT-TERM SUSPENSION — CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS

1. A short-term suspension may be imposed upon a student for violation of school district rules adopted pursuant to Section IV, subject to the following limitations or conditions, the prior informal conference procedures in Section IX, and the grievance procedures in Section X; provided:

a. the nature and circumstances of the violation have been considered and reasonably warrant a short-term suspension of the length imposed; and

b. other forms of corrective action reasonably calculated to modify his/her conduct have previously been imposed upon the student as a consequence of misconduct; except that a short-term suspension may be imposed immediately in cases of "Exceptional Misconduct" as defined in Section I.8.

2. No student shall be suspended by reason, in whole or part, of one or more unexcused absences unless the school district has first proposed an alternative corrective action or punishment reasonably calculated to modify his or her conduct and:

a. provided notice to the student's parent(s) or guardian(s) or custodial parent(s) in writing in English or, if different, the primary language of the parent(s), guardian(s) or custodial parent(s) to the extent feasible, that the student has failed to attend school without valid justification, and by other means reasonably necessary to achieve notice of such fact;

b. scheduled a conference or conferences with the parent(s) or guardian(s) or custodial parent(s) and the student at a time and place reasonably convenient to all persons included to analyze the causes for the student's absence; and,

c. taken steps to reduce the student's absence which include, where appropriate in the judgment of local school officials, adjustments of the student's school program or school or course assignment or assisting the student or parent to obtain supplementary services that might ameliorate the cause(s) for the student's absence from school.

3. Kindergarten through grade four — No student in grades kindergarten through four shall be subject to short-term suspensions for more than a total of ten school days during any single semester or trimester as the case may be, and no loss of academic grades or credit shall be imposed by reason of the suspension of such a student.

4. Grade five and above program — No student in the grade five and above program shall be subjected to short-term suspensions for more than a total of 15 school days during any single semester or 10 school days during any single trimester, as the case may be.

5. Any student subject to a short-term suspension shall be provided the opportunity upon his/her return to make up assignments and tests missed by reason of the short-term suspension if:

a. this failure to make up such assignments or tests would have the effect of reducing by one full grade or more the student's semester or trimester grade or grades; or,
b. failure to complete such assignments or tests would preclude the student from receiving credit for the course or courses.

6. Any student, or the parent(s) or guardian(s) of any student who has been suspended, shall be allowed to make written application to the superintendent for readmission at any time. Such application shall follow the procedures set forth in Section XXIV.

Section IX: SHORT-TERM SUSPENSION — PRIOR CONFERENCE REQUIRED — NOTICE TO PARENT

1. Prior to the short-term suspension of any student a conference shall be conducted with the student as follows:

a. an oral or written notice of the alleged misconduct and violation(s) of school district rules shall be provided to the student;
b. an oral or written explanation of the evidence in support of the allegation(s) shall be provided to the student;
c. an oral or written explanation of the corrective action which may be imposed shall be provided to the student; and,
d. the student shall be provided the opportunity to present his/her explanation.

2. In the event a short-term suspension is to exceed one calendar day, the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the student shall be notified of the reason for the student's suspension and the duration of the suspension orally or by letter deposited in the United States mail as soon as reasonably possible. The notice shall also inform the parent or guardian of the right to an informal conference pursuant to Section X.

3. All short-term suspensions and the reasons therefore shall be reported in writing to the superintendent or his/her designee within 24 hours after imposition of the suspension.

Section X: SHORT-TERM SUSPENSIONS — GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

The grievance procedure set forth in Section VII shall be followed with respect to short-term suspension grievances (substituting "short-term suspension" for "discipline" as applicable). The short-term suspension shall continue notwithstanding the implementation of the grievance procedures set forth in this section unless the principal or his/her designee elects to postpone such actions.

Section XI: LONG-TERM SUSPENSION — CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS

1. A long-term suspension may be imposed upon a student for violation of school district rules adopted pursuant to Section IV, subject to the following limitations or conditions and the notice requirements set forth in Section XII and the hearing requirements set forth in Section XIII, provided:

a. the nature and circumstances of the violation must reasonably warrant a long-term suspension and the length of the suspension imposed; and
b. other forms of corrective action reasonably calculated to modify his/her conduct have previously been imposed upon the student as a consequence of misconduct; except that a long-term suspension may be imposed immediately in the case of "Exceptional Misconduct" as defined in Section I.8.

2. No student shall be suspended by reason, in whole or part, of one or more unexcused absences unless the school district has proposed an alternative corrective action or punishment reasonably calculated to modify his or her conduct; and

a. provided notice to the student's parent(s) or guardian(s) or custodial parent(s) in writing in English or, if different, the primary language of the parent(s), guardian(s) or custodial parent(s) that the student has failed to attend school without valid justification, and by other means reasonably necessary to achieve notice of such fact;
b. scheduled a conference or conferences with the parent(s) or guardian(s) or custodial parent(s) and the student at a time and place reasonably convenient to all persons included to analyze the causes for the student's absence; and,
c. taken steps to reduce the student's absence which include, where appropriate in the judgment of local school officials, adjustments of the student's school program or school or course assignment or assisting the student or parent to obtain supplementary services that might ameliorate the cause(s) for the student's absence from school.

3. Kindergarten through grade four — No student in grades kindergarten through four shall be subject to long-term suspensions.

4. Grade five and above program — No single long-term suspension shall be imposed upon a student in the grade five and above program in a manner which causes the student to lose academic grades or credit for in excess of one semester or trimester, as the case may be, during the same school year.

5. Any student who has been suspended shall be allowed to make application for readmission at any time. Such application shall follow the procedures set forth in Section XXIV.

6. All long-term suspensions and the reasons therefore shall be reported in writing to the superintendent or his/her designee within 24 hours after the imposition of the suspension.

Section XII: LONG-TERM SUSPENSION — NOTICE OF HEARING — WAIVER OF HEARING

1. Prior to the long-term suspension of a student, written notice of an opportunity for a hearing shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the student and to his/her parent(s) or guardian(s). This notice shall:

a. be provided in the predominant language of a student and/or a parent(s) or guardian(s) who predominantly speak a language other than English, to the extent feasible;
b. specify the alleged misconduct and the school district rule(s) alleged to have been violated;
c. set forth the corrective action proposed;
d. set forth the right of the student and/or his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) to a hearing for the purpose of contesting the allegation(s); and,
e. set forth that:

(1) a written request for a hearing must be received by the school district employee designated, or by his/her office, on or before the expiration of the third school business day after receipt of the notice of opportunity for a hearing; and,
(2) if such a request is not received within the prescribed period of time, then the right to a hearing is deemed to have been waived and the proposed long-term suspension will be imposed by the school district without any further opportunity for the student or his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) to contest the matter.

2. The student and/or his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) shall reply in writing to the notice within three school business days after the date of receipt of notice indicating whether a hearing is requested. A request for a hearing shall be provided to the school district employee specified in the notice of opportunity for a hearing, or to his/her office. Only a written request for a hearing shall be accepted.

3. If a written request for a hearing is not received within the required three school business day period, the school district may deem the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) to have waived the right to a hearing and the proposed long-term suspension may be imposed.

Section XIII: LONG-TERM SUSPENSION — PREHEARING AND HEARING PROCESS

1. If a request for a hearing is received pursuant to Section XII, within the required three school business days, the school district shall schedule a hearing to commence within three school business days after the date upon which the request for a hearing was received.

2. The student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) shall have the right to:

a. inspect in advance of the hearing any documentary and other physical evidence which the school district intends to introduce at the hearing;
b. be represented by legal counsel;
c. question witnesses, unless a school district witness does not appear and the nonappearance of the witness is excused by the person(s) hearing the case based upon evidence of good reason for doing so submitted by the District. The evidence submitted by the school district must, at a minimum, establish either: (i) that the district made a reasonable effort to produce the witness and is unable to do so; or (ii) that it is not advisable for the student to appear due to an expectation and fear on the part of the responsible district official(s) or the student of retaliation against the student if he or she appears as a witness.
d. present his/her explanation of the alleged misconduct; and,
e. make such relevant showings by way of witnesses and the introduction of documentary and other physical evidence as he/she desires.

3. The designee(s) of the school district assigned to present the district's case shall have the right to question witnesses and to inspect in advance of the hearing any documentary and other physical evidence which the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) intend to introduce at the hearing.

4. The hearing shall be conducted by a hearing officer designated for such purposes by the superintendent. The person hearing the case shall not be a witness, and the guilt or innocence of the student shall be determined solely on the basis of the evidence presented at the hearing.

5. A tape-recorded record of the hearing shall be made by the district.

6. A written decision setting forth the findings of fact, conclusions, and the nature and duration of the long-term suspension or lesser form of corrective action to be imposed, if any, shall be provided to the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) or to the student's legal counsel, if applicable.

Section XIV: EXPULSION — CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS

1. A student may be expelled for violation of school district rules adopted pursuant to Section IV, subject to the following limitations or conditions, the notice requirements set forth in Section XV, and the hearing requirements set forth in XVI, provided:

a. the nature and circumstances of the violation must reasonably warrant the expulsion; and
b. other forms of corrective action or punishment reasonably calculated to modify his/her conduct have failed or unless there is good reason to believe that other forms of corrective action or punishment would fail if employed.

2. No student shall be expelled by reason, in whole or part, of one or more unexcused absences unless the school district has also first:

a. provided notice to the student's parent(s) or guardian(s) or custodial parent(s) in writing in English or, if different, the primary language of the parent(s), guardian(s) or custodial parent(s) that the student has failed to attend school without valid justification, and by other means reasonably necessary to achieve notice of such fact;
b. scheduled a conference or conferences with the parent(s) or guardian(s) or custodial parent(s) and the student at a time and place reasonably convenient to all persons included to analyze the causes for the student's absence; and,
c. taken steps to reduce the student's absence which include, where appropriate in the judgment of school officials, adjustments of the student's school program or school or course assignment or assisting the student or parent to obtain supplementary services that might ameliorate the cause(s) for the student's absence from school.

3. Any students who carry onto or who possess on, school premises, school provided transportation, or areas of facilities while being used exclusively by public or private schools any firearm, other dangerous weapon, nun-chu-ka sticks, throwing stars, air guns, or other projectiles shall be subject to expulsion. Students carrying or possessing a firearm shall be expelled for a period of not less than one (1) year. Law enforcement authorities shall be notified.

4. Once a student has been expelled in accordance with this procedure the expulsion shall be brought to the attention of appropriate local and state authorities so authorities may address the student's educational needs.

5. Any student who has been expelled shall be allowed to make application for readmission at any time. Such application shall follow the procedures set forth in Section XXIV.

6. All expulsions and the reasons therefore shall be reported in writing to the superintendent or his/her designee within 24 hours after the imposition of the expulsion.

Section XV: EXPULSION — NOTICE OF HEARING — WAIVER OF HEARING

Provisions set forth in Section XII shall apply with respect to expulsion (substituting "expulsion" for "long-term suspension" as applicable).

Section XVI: EXPULSION — PREHEARING AND HEARING PROCESS

The process set forth in Section XIII shall be followed with respect to expulsion (substituting "expulsion" for "long-term suspension" as applicable).

Section XVII: EMERGENCY REMOVAL FROM A CLASS, SUBJECT, OR ACTIVITY

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of this policy, a student may be removed immediately from a class, subject, or activity by any person designated in accordance with Section V and sent to the building principal or a designated school authority: PROVIDED, that the person removing the student has good and sufficient reason to believe that the student's presence poses an immediate and continuing danger to the student, other students, or school personnel or an immediate and continuing threat of substantial disruption of the class, subject, activity, or educational process of the student's school. The removal from classes, subjects, or activities, shall continue only until:

a. the danger or threat ceases; or,
b. the principal or designated school authority acts to impose discipline, impose a short-term suspension, initiate a long-term suspension or an expulsion, or impose an emergency expulsion, pursuant to this policy.

2. The principal or school authority shall meet with the student as soon as reasonably possible following the student's removal and take or initiate appropriate corrective action. In no case shall the student's opportunity for such meeting be delayed beyond the commencement of the next school day. Prior to, or at the time any such student is returned to the class(es), subject(s), or activity(ies), the principal or school authority shall notify the teacher or administrator who removed the student therefrom of the action which has been taken or initiated.

Section XVIII: EMERGENCY EXPULSION — LIMITATIONS

Notwithstanding any other provision of this policy, a student may be expelled immediately by a school district superintendent or a designee of the superintendent in emergency situations: PROVIDED, that the superintendent or designee has good and sufficient reason to believe that the student's presence poses an immediate and continuing danger to the student, other students, or school personnel or an immediate and continuing threat of substantial disruption of the educational process. An emergency expulsion shall continue until rescinded by the expelling authority, or until modified or reversed pursuant to the hearing provisions set forth in Section XX or the appeal provisions set forth in Section XXII.

Section XIX: EMERGENCY EXPULSION — NOTICE OF HEARING — WAIVER OF HEARING RIGHT

1. The student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) shall be notified of the emergency expulsion of the student and of their opportunity for a hearing either in (a) person, documented by parent/guardian signatures or by the written certification of the person making the delivery, or (b) by certified letter(s) deposited in the United States mail within 24 hours of the expulsion. If the notice is by certified mail, reasonable attempts shall be made to notify the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) by telephone or in person as soon as reasonably possible. Such written and oral notice shall specify the reasons for the emergency expulsion and shall comply with the provisions set forth in Section XII.1.a. through 2, (substituting "tenth school business day" for "third school business day" and "emergency expulsion" for "long-term suspension" as applicable).

2. If a written request for a hearing is not received within the required 10 school business day period, the school district will deem the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) to have waived the right to a hearing and the emergency expulsion will be continued as deemed necessary by the school district.

Section XX: EMERGENCY EXPULSION — PREHEARING AND HEARING PROCESS

1. If a written request for a hearing within the required 10 school business days is received pursuant to Section XIX, the school district shall immediately schedule and give notice of a hearing to commence as soon as reasonably possible and in no case later than the third school business day after receipt of the request for hearing.

2. The provisions of Section XIII.2 through 5 shall apply with respect to emergency expulsions.

3. Within one school business day after the date upon which the hearing concludes, a decision as to whether or not the expulsion shall be continued shall be rendered, and the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) or the student's legal counsel, if applicable, shall be notified thereof by depositing a certified letter in the United States mail. The decision shall set forth the findings of fact, the conclusions (including a conclusion as to whether or not the emergency situation giving rise to the emergency expulsion continues), and whether or not the emergency expulsion shall be continued or a lesser form of corrective action is to be imposed.

4. An emergency expulsion may be continued following the hearing on the basis that the emergency situation continues and/or as corrective action for the action(s) giving rise to the emergency expulsion in the first instance.

Section XXI: APPEALS — LONG-TERM SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION

Appeals from decisions rendered pursuant to Section XIII, Section XVI, and Section XX which impose either a long-term suspension or an expulsion upon a student shall be governed as follows:

1. The student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) shall have the right to appeal the decision to the board of directors. Written notice indicating that the student or his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) desire to appeal the decision shall be provided to either the office of the school district superintendent or to the office of the person who rendered the decision within three school business days after the date of receipt of the decision. Only a written notice of appeal shall be accepted.

2. If a written appeal is not received within the required three school business day period, the long-term suspension or expulsion decided upon will be imposed as of the calendar day following expiration of the three school business day period.

3. If a timely appeal is received, the imposition of the long-term suspension or expulsion may be imposed during the appeal period subject to the following conditions and limitations:

a) after an initial hearing before a hearing officer, a long-term suspension or nonemergency expulsion may be temporarily imposed during the appeal period for no more than ten consecutive school days or until the appeal is decided, whichever is the shortest period;

b) an emergency expulsion may be continued by the hearing officer if the student's presence continues to pose an immediate and continuing danger to the student, other students, or school personnel or an immediate and continuing threat of substantial disruption of the educational process; and

c) any days that a student is temporarily suspended or expelled before the appeal is decided shall be applied to the term of the student's suspension or expulsion and shall not limit or extend the term of the student's suspension or expulsion.

4. A decision of the school board may be appealed to the courts by any student or his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) within thirty days of the rendition of the board's decision. Whether or not the decision of a school board shall be postponed pending an appeal to a superior court shall be discretionary with the school board except as ordered otherwise by a court.

Section XXII: APPEALS — HEARING BEFORE SCHOOL BOARD — PROCEDURES

1. If a written notice of appeal to the school board of directors is received pursuant to Section XXI within the required three school business days, the board shall schedule and hold an informal conference to review the matter within 10 school business days after the date of receipt of such appeal notice. The purpose of the meeting shall be to meet and confer with the parties in order to decide upon the most appropriate means of disposing of the appeal as provided for in this section. At that time the student or the student's parent(s) or guardian(s) or legal counsel shall be given the right to be heard and shall be granted the opportunity to present such witnesses and testimony as the board deems reasonable. The board shall agree to one of the following procedures prior to adjournment or recess:

a. study the hearing record or other material submitted and render its decision within 10 school business days after the date of the informal conference; or,
b. schedule and hold a meeting to hear further arguments based on the record before the board and render its decision within 15 school business days after the date of the informal conference; or,
c. schedule and hold a meeting within 10 school business days after the date of the informal conference for the purpose of hearing the case anew.

2. In the event the school board of directors elects to hear the appeal anew, the following rights and procedures shall govern the proceedings.

a. The student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) shall have the right to:

(1) inspect in advance of the hearing any documentary and other physical evidence which the school district intends to introduce at the hearing;
(2) question witnesses;
(3) present his/her explanation of the alleged misconduct; and,
(4) make such relevant showings by way of witnesses and the introduction of documentary and other physical evidence as he/she desires.

b. The designee(s) of the school district assigned to present the district's case shall have the right to question witnesses and to inspect in advance of the hearing any documentary and other physical evidence that the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) intend to introduce at the hearing.

c. A tape-recorded record of the hearing shall be made by the district.

Section XXIII: SCHOOL BOARD DECISIONS

Any decision by a school board of directors pursuant to this procedure to impose or to affirm, reverse, or modify the imposition of discipline, suspension, or expulsion upon a student shall be made:

1. only by those board members who have heard or read the evidence;
2. only by those board members who have not acted as a witness in the matter;
3. only at a meeting at which a quorum of the board is present and by majority vote.

Section XXIV: APPLICATION FOR READMISSION FROM LONG TERM SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION

Any student, or the parent(s) or guardian(s) of any student who has been long term suspended or expelled, shall be allowed to make written application to the superintendent, or designee, for readmission at any time.

1. Application should state the reasons for the request and should include such assurances concerning the nonrecurrence of the behavior which led to the suspension or expulsion.
2. The superintendent may designate an individual or committee to consider the application and make recommendations concerning such readmission.
3. The superintendent shall, in writing, advise the student and the student's parent(s) or guardian(s) of the superintendent's decision within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such application.
4. The superintendent's determination may be appealed to the Board of Directors.

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