Student Handbook
2007-2008
SUSPENSION
It is the policy of the Board of Education that the superintendent or designee may suspend a student whose conduct disrupts the academic atmosphere or the school,
endangers or threatens fellow students, teachers or officials or damages the property of another. Any students who has been adjudicated for a violent or non- violent
offense may be suspended out-of-school by the principal of such school. Any student who violates the policies or regulations of the school may be suspended. No
suspension will exceed the duration of the current semester and the succeeding semester except for violations of the Gun-Free Schools Act, which suspensions may be
for one (1) calendar year or longer.
Before a student is suspended out-of-school, the principal shall consider and apply if appropriate, alternative in-school placement
options that are not to be considered suspension, such as placement in an alternative school setting, reassignment to another classroom, or in-school detention.
If
alternative in-school placement options are considered inappropriate, the principal must provide written justification which will become part of the student/s permanent
record. A student suspended out-of-school shall be placed in a supervised, structured environment in either a home-based school work assignment setting or another
appropriate setting in a accordance with a plan prescribed by the school administration that provides education to and monitoring of the student, which plan shall be
complied with by the parent or legal guardian.
Any student suspended from school has the right to due process and the right to appeal the decision to the Superintendent and School Board. Continuous and willful
refusal to accomplish school tasks even though able to do so, insubordination, disorderly, vicious, illegal or immoral conduct, and persistent violation of school regulations
are causes for suspension from school. This includes violations of narcotics law, use of alcoholic beverages, hazardous or unauthorized use of automobiles, use of
weapons or fireworks, or violation of any local, state, or federal law. Length of suspension will be determined by the school authorities. A suspended student may not loiter
or appear on school property. A suspended student is also removed from all extra-curricular activities for the period of the suspension. REFERENCE: 70 O.S. 24-101
SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS (REGULATION)
In accordance with the policy of the board of education, the following regulation shall govern the suspension of students from school. The authority to suspend a student from a school in the school district is delegated to the respective building principals. Students serving out-of-school suspension may not participate in extra curricular activities until the suspension expires. Academic credit will be granted for work satisfactorily completed.
1. Any student may be suspended for acts of immorality, violations of policy or regulations, or for any act which disrupts the academic atmosphere of the school,
endangers or threatens fellow students, teachers, or officials, or damages property, possessing intoxicating beverages or wireless communication devices or missing or
stolen property, possessing a dangerous weapon or controlled dangerous substance and laser lights. Any student who has been adjudicated as a delinquent for a violent
or non-violent offense may be suspended.
Note: Any student found in possession of a firearm on school property or while using school transportation MUST be suspended for not less than a year. However, the
superintendent has authority to modify terms of the suspension.
2. A full suspension shall not extend beyond the present semester and the succeeding semester except for violations of the gun-Free Schools Act which provides suspensions for up to one calendar year or longer. 3. Except under circumstances which require the immediate removal of a student or students, the parents(s) or legal guardians(s) shall be informed before a student is released from school.
4. Any student who has been adjudicated as a delinquent for a violent offense or non-violent offense and has been removed from a public or private school in the state or any other state for such act, will not be enrolled in the district until such time as that student no longer poses a threat to self, other students, or faculty.
5. Students suspended out of School who are on an individualized education plan pursuant to IDEA, P.L. No 101-476, shall be provided the education and related services in accordance with the student's IEP.
6. A student who has been suspended for a violent offense which is directed towards a classroom teacher will not be allowed to return to that teacher's classroom without the approval of that teacher.
7. Procedural steps to suspension: Before a student is suspended from school, the principal of that school shall consider and apply, if appropriate, alternative in-school placement options that are not to be considered suspensions. Such placements can include an alternative school setting, reassignment to another classroom, or in-school detention. If such alternate placement is rejected, written justification must be placed in the student's permanent record. Students suspended out of school for more than 5 days will be provided with an education plan. Students suspended less than 5 days out of school may request such a plan.
A. Probation. A student may be placed on probation with or without additional disciplinary action. If probation is elected by the principal as a suitable alterative to suspension, both the student and the parent(s) shall be notified or the probation and the reasons therefore.
B. In-school placement is an alternative to out-of-school suspension. In-school placement will be imposed by the student's principal and the student will be placed in a supervised, structured environment. This placement will not be considered suspension and may include an alternative school setting reassignment to another classroom, or in-school detention. Both the student and the parent(s) shall be notified of the placement, the reasons therefore, and the right to appeal the placement to the suspension committee.
C. Out-of-school suspension. A student may be suspended from school for the remainder of the current semester and the entirety of the succeeding semester. If out-of-school suspension is prescribed, the building principal must justify in writing why in-school placement was not appropriate. Both the students and the parent(s) shall be notified of the suspension, the grounds therefor, and the right to appeal the suspension to the board of education. A student suspended out-of-school will be placed under the supervision of parent or guardian. The suspended student is responsible for securing school assignments from school office.
6. Appellate procedures. Any student who has been suspended under the steps listed above, or the student's parent(s), may appeal the suspension to the suspension committee, if the period of suspension is ten days or less, or to the board of education, if the suspension is for more than ten days. The following procedures shall govern the appellate process:
A. The student, or the student's parent(s), shall notify the superintendent as soon as possible following the suspension or the notice of the intent to suspend of their intent to appeal the suspension.
B. Upon receiving notice of a student's or parent(s)' intent to appeal, the superintendent shall advise the suspension committee (short term) or the president of the board of education (long term). the appeal shall be heard within ten days from the date the notice of intent is filed with the superintendent. The superintendent, at his/her discretion, may permit the suspended student to attend classes pending the outcome of the appeal.
C. During the hearing of the appeal, the student may be represented by legal counsel or other adult representative; may examine witnesses on his/her own behalf; cross examine opposing witnesses, and offer other evidence in the student's behalf including his/her own testimony.
D. The suspension committee (short term) or the board of education (long term) shall uphold the suspension, modify the terms of the suspension, or overrule the suspension. The student and the student's parent(s) shall be notified within five school days of a decision.
E. Decisions of the suspension committee may be appealed to the Board of Education.
7. Appeal for reinstatement. Students who have been suspended for the remainder of a semester, or more, may petition the superintendent for reinstatement. the superintendent may, in his/her discretion, schedule an informal hearing with the concerned principal. At the hearing, the student may present evidence of attitude or behavior modification which would support reinstatement. the superintendent and the principal may reinstate the student or deny reinstatement and submit a written report of the informal hearing to the board of education. The board shall take whatever action it deems appropriate.
8. A suspension appeal committee is hereby established which will consist of administrators and teachers. The members of the committee will be appointed by the superintendent and may include the superintendent. NOTE: 70 O.S. 24-102 states that a student who has been suspended from a public or private school in the state of Oklahoma or another state for a violent act or an act showing deliberate or reckless disregard for the health of safety of faculty or other students shall not be entitled to enroll in a public school of this state, and no public school shall be required to enroll such student, until the terms of the suspension have been met or the time of suspension has expired. ANY STUDENT WHO IS A FREQUENT DISCIPLINE PROBLEM MAY BE SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL. REFERENCE: 70 O.S. 24-101