| Franklin Community School Corporation |
| Bylaws & Policies |
5610 - SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF STUDENTS
The School Board recognizes that removal from the educational programs of the Corporation, whether by suspension or expulsion, is the most severe sanction that can be imposed on a student in this Corporation and one that cannot be imposed without due process since removal deprives a child of the right to an education.
No student is to be suspended and/or expelled from an activity, program, or a school unless his/her behavior represents misconduct or substantial disobedience while the student is on school grounds immediately before or during school hours, or immediately after school hours, or at any other time when the school is being used by a school group; off school grounds at a school activity, function, or event; or traveling to or from school or a school activity, function, or event.
In addition to the grounds specified above, a student may be suspended or expelled for engaging in unlawful activity on or off school grounds if the unlawful activity may reasonably be considered to be an interference with school purposes or an educational function, or the student's removal is necessary to restore order or protect persons on school property, including any unlawful activity during weekends, holidays, other school breaks, and the summer period when a student may not be attending classes or other school functions.
Furthermore, a student may be suspended or expelled for bullying, regardless of the physical location in which the bullying occurred, whenever:
|
A. |
the individual committing the bullying behavior and any of the intended targets of the bullying behavior are students attending a school within a school corporation; and |
|
|
B. |
disciplinary action is reasonably necessary to avoid substantial interference with school discipline or prevent an unreasonable threat to the rights of other to a safe and peaceful learning environment. |
A Student Code of Conduct, approved by the Board, shall specify the procedures to be followed by school officials when administering this policy. In addition to the procedural safeguards and definitions set out in this policy and the student/parent handbook, the procedures set forth in Policy 5605 shall apply to students identified as disabled under IDEA.
For purposes of this policy and the Superintendent's administrative guidelines, the following definitions shall apply:
|
A. |
"Suspension" means any disciplinary action that does not constitute an expulsion whereby a student is separated from school attendance for a period not to exceed ten (10) school days. A student may be suspended for a longer period of time in accordance with the provisions of I.C. 20-33-8-23 pending expulsion. |
||
|
B. |
"Expulsion" means a disciplinary or other action where by a student is: |
||
|
1. |
separated from school attendance for a period exceeding ten (10) school days; |
||
|
2. |
separated from school attendance for the balance of the current semester or current year unless a student is permitted to complete required examinations in order to receive credit for courses taken in the current semester or current year; or |
||
|
3. |
separated from school attendance for at least one (1) calendar year pursuant to I.C. 20-33-8-16 for possession of firearms, deadly weapons or destructive devices, which may include an assignment to attend an alternative school, an alternative educational program, or a homebound educational program. |
||
|
The term does not include situations when a student is disciplined under I.C. 20-33-8-25, removed from school pursuant to I.C. 20-34-3-9, or removed from school for failure to comply with the immunization requirements of I.C. 20-34-4-5. |
|||
|
Any student who brings a firearm, as defined in I.C. 35-47-1-5, or a destructive device, as defined in I.C. 35-47.5-2-4 to school or onto school property or at a school-related activity or is in possession of a firearm shall be expelled for at least one (1) calendar year unless the Superintendent reduces the punishment for reasons justified by the particular circumstances of the incident. |
|
|
If the student brings a deadly weapon as defined in I.C. 35-31.5-2-86 onto Corporation property or is found to possess a deadly weapon on Corporation property or at a school-related activity, s/he may be expelled for a period of not more than one (1) calendar year unless the Superintendent reduces the punishment for reason justified by the particular circumstances of the incident. The Superintendent shall notify the law enforcement agency designated by the Prosecuting Attorney immediately when a student possesses a firearm, destructive device, or deadly weapon on school property or at a school-related activity. |
|
|
The Superintendent shall ensure that a copy of this policy is sent to the State Department of Education as well as a description of the circumstances surrounding any expulsions for the above-stated firearms or weapons offense together with the name of the school, the number of students so expelled, and the types of firearms or weapons that were brought on Corporation property. |
The Board of School Trustees has voted not to hear any expulsion appeals. Instead, appeals of expulsion must be filed with the County Court.
The Superintendent shall develop administrative guidelines which provide appropriate procedures for implementing this policy and comply with applicable statutes.
The Board authorizes the Superintendent to develop administrative guidelines to provide for a program whereby a student performs community service as part of a suspension or an expulsion and/or the referral of a student to the prosecutor or juvenile court.
The Superintendent shall report all expulsions and second suspensions to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in accordance with law and the Bureau's guidelines.
I.C. 20-33-8-13.5 et seq., 35-31.5-2-86, 35-47-1-5, 35-47.5-2-4
Revised 12/10/01
Revised 1/12/04
Revised 4/06
Revised 9/11/06
Revised 10/19/15
© Neola 2015