Students who are not present at school cannot benefit from the educational opportunities the school environment affords. Administrators, therefore, shall strive to find ways to keep students in school as participants in the educational process. There are instances, however, when the needs of the other students or the interests of the orderly learning environment require the removal of a student from school. The Board authorizes school principals or their designees to suspend students for disciplinary reasons for a period of time not to exceed ten (10) school days, including the day upon which the suspension is imposed. The suspension may be in school or out of school. Students are responsible for their conduct that occurs:

• At any time on the school grounds;
• Off school grounds at a school-sponsored function, activity, or event; and
• Going to and from school or a school activity.

A student may be suspended for behavior including, but not limited to that which:

1. Is in violation of school policies, rules, or regulations;
2. Substantially interferes with the safe and orderly educational environment;
3. School administrators believe will result in the substantial interference with the safe and orderly educational environment; and/or
4. Is insubordinate, incorrigible, violent, or involves moral turpitude.

Out-of-school suspension (OSS) shall not be used to discipline a student in kindergarten through fifth (5th) grade unless the student's behavior:

1. Poses a physical risk to himself or herself or to others;
2. Causes a serious disruption that cannot be addressed through other means; or
3. Is the act of bringing a firearm on school campus

OSS shall not be used to discipline a student for skipping class, excessive absences, or other forms of truancy.

The school principal or designee shall proceed as follows in deciding whether or not to suspend a student.

1. the student shall be given written notice or advised orally of the charges against him/her;
2. if the student denies the charges, he/she shall be given an explanation of the evidence against
3. him/her and be allowed to present his/her version of the facts; and
4. if the principal finds the student guilty of the misconduct, he/she may be suspended.

When possible, notice of the suspension, its duration, and any stipulations for the student’s re-admittance to class will be given to the parent(s), legal guardian(s), person(s) with lawful control of the student, person(s) standing in loco parentis, or to the student if age eighteen (18) or older prior to the suspension. Such notice shall be handed to the parent(s), legal guardian(s), person(s) having lawful control of the student, person(s) standing in loco parentis, or to the student if age eighteen (18) or older, mailed to the last address reflected in the records of the school district, or emailed to the parents email address on file with the school district.

Generally, notice and hearing should precede the student's removal from school, but if prior notice and hearing are not feasible, as where the student's presence endangers persons or property or threatens disruption of the academic process, thus justifying immediate removal from school, the necessary notice and hearing should follow as soon as practicable.

It is the responsibility of a student’s parents, legal guardians, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis to provide current contact information to the district, which the school shall use to immediately notify the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of a student, or person standing in loco parentis upon the suspension of a student. The notification shall be by one of the following means, listed in order of priority:

• A primary call number;
• The contact may be by voice, voice mail, or text message
• An email address;
• A regular first class letter to the last known mailing address;

The district shall keep a log of contacts attempted and made to the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis.

The District shall establish programs, measures, or alternative means and methods to continue student engagement and access to education during a student’s period of OSS.

During the period of their suspension, students serving OSS are not permitted on campus except to attend a student/parent/administrator conference or when necessary as part of the District’s engagement or access to education program.

Students will not be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities, including games or practices, on the day(s) they are assigned to in-school suspension.

Suspensions initiated by the principal or his/her designee may be appealed to the Superintendent, but not to the Board.

Suspensions initiated by the Superintendent may be appealed to the Board.