Discipline

1. Discussion or conference between school staff and the student and parents/guardians

2. Referral of the student to the school counselor or other school support service personnel for case management and counseling

3. Convening of a study, guidance, resource panel, or other intervention-related team to assess the behavior and develop and implement an individual plan to address the behavior in partnership with the student and parents/guardians

4. When applicable, referral for a comprehensive psychosocial or psychoeducational assessment, including for purposes of creating an individualized education program or a Section 504 plan

5. Enrollment in a program for teaching prosocial behavior or anger management

6. Participation in a restorative justice program

7. A positive behavior support approach with tiered interventions that occur during the school day on campus

8. Participation in a social and emotional learning program that teaches students the ability to understand and manage emotions, develop caring and concern for others, make responsible decisions, establish positive relationships, and handle challenging situations capably

9. Participation in a program that is sensitive to the traumas experienced by students, focuses on students' behavioral health needs, and addresses those needs in a proactive manner

10. After-school programs that address specific behavioral issues or expose students to positive activities and behaviors, including, but not limited to, those operated in collaboration with local parent and community groups

11. Recess restriction as provided in the section below entitled "Recess Restriction"

12. Detention after school hours as provided in the section below entitled "Detention After School"

13. Community service as provided in the section below entitled "Community Service"

14. In accordance with Board policy and administrative regulation, restriction or disqualification from participation in extracurricular activities

15. Reassignment to an alternative educational environment

16. Suspension and expulsion in accordance with law, Board policy, and administrative regulation

When, by law or district policy, other means of correction are required to be implemented before a student could be suspended or expelled, any other means of correction implemented shall be documented and retained in the student's records.  (Education Code 48900.5)

Teachers may restrict a student's recess time only when they believe that this action is the most effective way to bring about improved behavior. When recess restriction involves the withholding of physical activity from a student, teachers shall try other disciplinary measures before imposing the restriction. Recess restriction shall be subject to the following conditions:

1. The student shall be given adequate time to use the restroom and get a drink or eat lunch, as appropriate.

2. The student shall remain under a certificated employee's supervision during the period of restriction.

3. The student’s teacher shall inform the principal of any recess restrictions imposed.

Students may be detained for disciplinary reasons for up to one hour after the close of the maximum school day, or until the departure of the school bus to which they have been assigned if applicable. (5 CCR 307,353)

The student shall not be detained unless the principal or designee notifies the parent/guardian.

Students shall remain under the supervision of a certificated employee during the period of detention.

As part of or instead of disciplinary action, the Board, Superintendent, principal, or principal's designee may, require a student to perform community service during non-school hours on school grounds, or, with written permission of the student's parent/guardian, off school grounds.  Such service may include, but is not limited to, community or school outdoor beautification, community or campus betterment, and teacher, peer, or youth assistance programs.  (Education Code 48900.6)

This community service option is not available for a student who has been suspended, pending expulsion, pursuant to Education Code 48915.  However, if the recommended expulsion is not implemented or the expulsion itself is suspended, then a student may be required to perform community service for the resulting suspension.  (Education Code 48900.6)

Some student discipline issues are resolved through one-to-one counseling with a teacher, counselor or school administrator, and may require no more than an in-school suspension. This means that students are removed from the classroom for a short period of time for the purposes of redirecting or resolving misbehavior. Other issues may result in out-of-school suspensions. This is a more formal discipline approach, which prohibits students from attending school, and which requires they have the direct supervision of a parent or other adult.

LOSD Board Policy: 5144.1: Suspension And Expulsion/Due Process

Unless the Superintendent, principal, or designee determines that expulsion should not be recommended under the circumstances or that an alternative means of correction would address the conduct, the Superintendent or principal shall recommend a student's expulsion for any of the following acts:  (Education Code 48915)

1. Causing serious physical injury to another person, except in self-defense

2. Possession of any knife or other dangerous object of no reasonable use to the student

3. Unlawful possession of any controlled substance as listed in Health and Safety Code 11053-11058, except for (a) the first offense for the possession of not more than one ounce of marijuana, other than concentrated cannabis, or (b) the student's possession of over-the-counter medication for his/her use or other medication prescribed by a physician

4. Robbery or extortion

5. Assault or battery, as defined in Penal Code 240 and 242, upon any school employee

In determining whether or not to recommend the expulsion of a student, the Superintendent, principal, or designee shall act as quickly as possible to ensure that the student does not lose instructional time.  (Education Code 48915)

Any student recommended for expulsion shall be entitled to a hearing to determine whether the student should be expelled. The hearing shall be held within 30 school days after the Superintendent, principal, or designee determines that the student has committed one of the act(s) that form the basis for the expulsion recommendation. (Education Code 48918(a))

The student is entitled to at least one postponement of an expulsion hearing for a period of not more than 30 calendar days.  The request for postponement shall be in writing. Any subsequent postponement may be granted at the Board's discretion.  (Education Code 48918(a))

If the Board finds it impractical during the regular school year to comply with these time requirements for conducting an expulsion hearing, the Superintendent or designee may, for good cause, extend the time period by an additional five school days.  Reasons for the extension shall be included as a part of the record when the expulsion hearing is held.  (Education Code 48918(a))

If the Board finds it impractical to comply with the time requirements of the expulsion hearing due to a summer recess of Board meetings of more than two weeks, the days during the recess shall not be counted as school days. The days not counted during the recess may not exceed 20 school days, as defined in Education Code 48925.  Unless the student requests in writing that the expulsion hearing be postponed, the hearing shall be held not later than 20 calendar days prior to the first day of the next school year.  (Education Code 48918(a))

Once the hearing starts, all matters shall be pursued with reasonable diligence and concluded without unnecessary delay.  (Education Code 48918(a))

After a determination that a student has committed an expellable offense, the Superintendent, principal, or designee shall offer the student and parent/guardian the option to waive a hearing and stipulate to the expulsion or to a suspension of the expulsion under certain conditions.  The offer shall be made only after the student or parent/guardian has been given written notice of the expulsion hearing pursuant to Education Code 48918.

The stipulation agreement shall be in writing and shall be signed by the student and parent/guardian.  The stipulation agreement shall include notice of all the rights that the student is waiving, including the waiving of the right to have a full hearing, to appeal the expulsion to the County Board of Education, and to consult legal counsel.

A stipulated expulsion agreed to by the student and parent/guardian shall be effective upon approval by the Board.

An expulsion hearing involving allegations of sexual assault or sexual battery may be postponed for one school day in order to accommodate the special physical, mental, or emotional needs of a student who is the complaining witness.  (Education Code 48918.5)

Whenever the Superintendent or designee recommends an expulsion hearing that addresses allegations of sexual assault or sexual battery, the Superintendent or designee shall give the complaining witness a copy of the district's suspension and expulsion policy and regulation and shall advise the witness of the right to:  (Education Code 48918.5)

1. Receive five days' notice of his/her scheduled testimony at the hearing

2. Have up to two adult support persons present at the hearing at the time the witness testifies

3. Have a closed hearing during the time the witness testifies

Whenever any allegation of sexual assault or sexual battery is made, the Superintendent or designee shall immediately advise complaining witnesses and accused students to refrain from personal or telephone contact with each other during the time when an expulsion process is pending.  (Education Code 48918.5)

Written notice of the expulsion hearing shall be forwarded to the student and the student's parent/guardian at least 10 calendar days before the date of the hearing.  The notice shall include:  (Education Code 48900.8, 48918(b))

1. The date and place of the hearing.

2. A statement of the specific facts, charges, and offense upon which the proposed expulsion is based.

3. A copy of district disciplinary rules which relate to the alleged violation.

4. Notification of the student's or parent/guardian's obligation, pursuant to Education Code 48915.1, to provide information about the student's status in the district to any other district in which the student seeks enrollment. 

This obligation applies when a student is expelled for acts other than those described in Education Code 48915(a) or (c).

(cf. 5119 - Students Expelled from Other Districts)

5. The opportunity for the student or the student's parent/guardian to appear in person or be represented by legal counsel or by a non-attorney advisor.

Legal counsel means an attorney or lawyer who is admitted to the practice of law in California and is an active member of the State Bar of California.

Nonattorney advisor means an individual who is not an attorney or lawyer, but who is familiar with the facts of the case and has been selected by the student or student's parent/guardian to provide assistance at the hearing.

6. The right to inspect and obtain copies of all documents to be used at the hearing.

7. The opportunity to confront and question all witnesses who testify at the hearing.

8. The opportunity to question all evidence presented and to present oral and documentary evidence on the student's behalf, including witnesses.

If the student is a foster student also send notice of the hearing to the student's attorney and a representative of an appropriate child welfare agency at least 10 days prior to the hearing.  (Education Code 48918.1)

If the student facing expulsion is a homeless student, the Superintendent or designee shall also send notice of the hearing to the district liaison for homeless students at least 10 days prior to the hearing.  (Education Code 48918.1)

Any notice for these purposes may be provided by the most cost-effective method possible, including by email or a telephone call.  (Education Code 48918.1)

1. Closed Session:  Notwithstanding Education Code 35145, the Board shall conduct a hearing to consider the expulsion of the student in a session closed to the public unless the student requests in writing at least five days prior to the hearing that the hearing be a public meeting.  If such a request is made, the meeting shall be public unless another student's privacy rights would be violated.  (Education Code 48918)

Whether the expulsion hearing is held in closed or public session, the Board may meet in closed session to deliberate and determine whether or not the student should be expelled.  If the Board admits any other person to this closed session, the parent/guardian, the student, and the counsel of the student also shall be allowed to attend the closed session.  (Education Code 48918(c))

If a hearing that involves a charge of sexual assault or sexual battery is to be conducted in public, a complaining witness shall have the right to have testify in closed session when testifying in public would threaten serious psychological harm to the witness and when there are no alternative procedures to avoid the threatened harm, including, but not limited to, videotaped deposition or contemporaneous examination in another place communicated to the hearing room by closed-circuit television.  (Education Code 48918(c))

2. Record of Hearing:  A record of the hearing shall be made and may be maintained by any means, including electronic recording, as long as a reasonably accurate and complete written transcription of the proceedings can be made.  (Education Code 48918(g))

3. Subpoenas:  Before commencing a student expulsion hearing, the Board may issue subpoenas, at the request of either the student or the Superintendent or designee, for the personal appearance at the hearing of any person who actually witnessed the action that gave rise to the recommendation for expulsion.  After the hearing has commenced, the Board or the hearing officer or administrative panel may issue such subpoenas at the request of the student or the County Superintendent of Schools or designee.  All subpoenas shall be issued in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure 1985-1985.2 and enforced in accordance with Government Code 11455.20.  (Education Code 48918(i))

Any objection raised by the student or the Superintendent or designee to the issuance of subpoenas may be considered by the Board in closed session, or in open session if so requested by the student, before the meeting.  The Board's decision in response to such an objection shall be final and binding.  (Education Code 48918(i))

If the Board determines, or if the hearing officer or administrative panel finds and submits to the Board, that a witness would be subject to unreasonable risk of harm by testifying at the hearing, a subpoena shall not be issued to compel the personal attendance of that witness at the hearing.  However, that witness may be compelled to testify by means of a sworn declaration as described in item #4 below.  (Education Code 48918(i))

4. Presentation of Evidence: Technical rules of evidence shall not apply to the expulsion hearing, but relevant evidence may be admitted and used as proof only if it is the kind of evidence on which reasonable persons can rely in the conduct of serious affairs.  The decision of the Board to expel shall be supported by substantial evidence that the student committed any of the acts pursuant to Education Code 48900 and listed in "Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion: Grades K-12" and "Additional Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion: Grades 4-12" above.  (Education Code 48918(h))

Findings of fact shall be based solely on the evidence at the hearing.  Although no finding shall be based solely on hearsay, sworn declarations may be admitted as testimony from witnesses whose disclosure of their identity or testimony at the hearing may subject them to an unreasonable risk of physical or psychological harm.  (Education Code 48918(f))

In cases where a search of a student's person or property has occurred, evidence describing the reasonableness of the search shall be included in the hearing record.

5. Testimony by Complaining Witnesses:  The following procedures shall be observed when a hearing involves allegations of sexual assault or sexual battery by a student:  (Education Code 48918, 48918.5)

a. Any complaining witness shall be given five days' notice before being called to testify.

b. Any complaining witness shall be entitled to have up to two adult support persons, including, but not limited to, a parent/guardian or legal counsel, present during his/her the testimony.

c. Before a complaining witness testifies, support persons shall be admonished that the hearing is confidential.

d. The person presiding over the hearing may remove a support person whom he/she finds is disrupting the hearing.

e. If one or both support persons are also witnesses, the hearing shall be conducted in accordance with Penal Code 868.5.

f. Evidence of specific instances of prior sexual conduct of a complaining witness shall be presumed inadmissible and shall not be heard unless the person conducting the hearing determines that extraordinary circumstances require the evidence to be heard.  Before such a determination is made, the complaining witness shall be given notice and an opportunity to oppose the introduction of this evidence.  In the hearing on the admissibility of this evidence, the complaining witness shall be entitled to be represented by a parent/guardian, legal counsel, or other support person.  Reputation or opinion evidence regarding the sexual behavior of a complaining witness shall not be admissible for any purpose.

g. In order to facilitate a free and accurate statement of the experiences of the complaining witness and to prevent discouragement of complaints, the district shall provide a nonthreatening environment.

(1) The district shall provide a room separate from the hearing room for the use of the complaining witness before and during breaks in testimony.

(2) At the discretion of the person conducting the hearing, the complaining witness shall be allowed reasonable periods of relief from examination and cross-examination during which the complaining witness may leave the hearing room.

(3) The person conducting the hearing may:

(a) Arrange the seating within the hearing room so as to facilitate a less intimidating environment for the complaining witness

(b) Limit the time for taking the testimony of a complaining witness to the normal school hours is normally in school, if there is no good cause to take the testimony during other hours

(c) Permit one of the support persons to accompany the complaining witness to the witness stand

6. Decision:  The Board's decision as to whether to expel a student shall be made within 40 school days after the student is removed from school, unless the student requests in writing that the decision be postponed.  (Education Code 48918(a))

Instead of conducting an expulsion hearing itself, the Board may contract with the county hearing officer or with the Office of Administrative Hearings of the State of California for a hearing officer. The Board may also appoint an impartial administrative panel composed of three or more certificated personnel, none of whom shall be members of the Board or on the staff of the school in which the student is enrolled.  (Education Code 48918)

A hearing conducted by the hearing officer or administrative panel shall conform to the same procedures applicable to a hearing conducted by the Board as specified above in "Conduct of Expulsion Hearing," including the requirement to issue its decision within 40 school days of the student's removal from school, unless the student requests that the decision be postponed.  (Education Code 48918(a) and (d))

The hearing officer or administrative panel shall, within three school days after the hearing, determine whether to recommend expulsion of the student to the Board.  If expulsion is not recommended, the expulsion proceeding shall be terminated and the student shall be immediately reinstated and permitted to return to the classroom instructional program from which the referral was made, unless another placement is requested in writing by the student's parent/guardian. Before the student's placement decision is made by the student’s parent/guardian, the Superintendent or designee shall consult with the parent/guardian and district staff, including the student's teachers, regarding other placement options for the student in addition to the option to return to the classroom instructional program from which the student's expulsion referral was made. The decision to not recommend expulsion shall be final.  (Education Code 48918(e))

If expulsion is recommended, findings of fact in support of the recommendation shall be prepared and submitted to the Board.  All findings of fact and recommendations shall be based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing. The Board may accept the recommendation based either upon a review of the findings of fact and recommendations submitted or upon the results of any supplementary hearing the Board may order.  (Education Code 48918(f))

In accordance with Board policy, the hearing officer or administrative panel may recommend that the Board suspend the enforcement of the expulsion. If the hearing officer or administrative panel recommends that the Board expel a student but suspend the enforcement of the expulsion, the student shall not be reinstated and permitted to return to the classroom instructional program from which the referral was made until the Board has ruled on the recommendation. (Education Code 48917, 48918)

Whether the expulsion hearing is conducted in closed or open session by the Board, a hearing officer, or an administrative panel or is waived through the signing of a stipulated expulsion agreement, the final action to expel shall be taken by the Board at a public.  (Education Code 48918(j))

The Board's decision is final. If the decision is to not expel, the student shall be reinstated immediately. If the decision is to suspend the enforcement of the expulsion, the student shall be reinstated under the conditions of the suspended expulsion.

Upon ordering an expulsion, the Board shall set a date when the student shall be reviewed for readmission to a school within the district.  For a student expelled for any "mandatory recommendation and mandatory expulsion" act listed in the section "Authority to Expel" in the accompanying Board policy, this date shall be one year from the date the expulsion occurred, except that the Board may set an earlier date on a case-by-case basis.  For a student expelled for other acts, this date shall be no later than the last day of the semester following the semester in which the expulsion occurred.  If an expulsion is ordered during summer session or the intersession period of a year-round program, the Board shall set a date when the student shall be reviewed for readmission not later than the last day of the semester following the summer session or intersession period in which the expulsion occurred.  (Education Code 48916)

At the time of the expulsion order, the Board shall recommend a plan for the student's rehabilitation, which may include:  (Education Code 48916)

1. Periodic review, as well as assessment at the time of review, for readmission

2. Recommendations for improved academic performance, tutoring, special education assessments, job training, counseling, employment, community service, or other rehabilitative programs

With parent/guardian consent, students who have been expelled for reasons relating to controlled substances or alcohol may be required to enroll in a county-sponsored drug rehabilitation program before returning to school.  (Education Code 48916.5)

The Superintendent or designee shall send written notice of the decision to expel to the student or parent/guardian.  This notice shall include the following:

1. The specific offense committed by the student for any of the causes for suspension or expulsion listed above under "Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion: Grades K-12" or "Additional Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion: Grades 4-12" (Education Code 48900.8)

2. The fact that a description of readmission procedures will be made available to the student and parent/guardian (Education Code 48916)

3. Notice of the right to appeal the expulsion to the County Board (Education Code 48918)

4. Notice of the alternative educational placement to be provided to the student during the time of expulsion (Education Code 48918)

5. Notice of the student's or parent/guardian's obligation to inform any new district in which the student seeks to enroll of the student's status with the expelling district, pursuant to Education Code 48915.1 (Education Code 48918)

Decision Not to Enforce Expulsion Order

In accordance with Board policy, when deciding whether to suspend the enforcement of an expulsion order, the Board shall take into account the following criteria:

1. The student's pattern of behavior

2. The seriousness of the misconduct

3. The student's attitude toward the misconduct and willingness to follow a rehabilitation program

The suspension of the enforcement of an expulsion shall be governed by the following:

1. The Board may, as a condition of the suspension of enforcement, assign the student to a school, class, or program appropriate for the student's rehabilitation. This rehabilitation program may provide for the involvement of the student's parent/guardian in the student's education.  However, a parent/guardian's refusal to participate in the rehabilitation program shall not be considered in the Board's determination as to whether the student has satisfactorily completed the rehabilitation program.  (Education Code 48917)

2. During the period when enforcement of the expulsion order is suspended, the student shall be on probationary status.  (Education Code 48917)

3. The suspension of the enforcement of an expulsion order may be revoked by the Board if the student commits any of the acts listed under "Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion: Grades K-12" or "Additional Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion: Grades 4-12" above or violates any of the district's rules and regulations governing student conduct.  (Education Code 48917)

4. When the suspension of enforcement of an expulsion order is revoked, a student may be expelled under the terms of the original expulsion order.  (Education Code 48917)

5. Upon satisfactory completion of the rehabilitation assignment, the Board shall reinstate the student in a district school.  Upon reinstatement, the Board may order the expunging of any or all records of the expulsion proceedings.  (Education Code 48917)

6. The Superintendent or designee shall send written notice of any decision to suspend the enforcement of an expulsion order during a period of probation to the student or parent/guardian.  The notice shall inform the parent/guardian of the right to appeal the expulsion to the County Board, the alternative educational placement to be provided to the student during the period of expulsion, and the student's or parent/guardian's obligation to inform any new district in which the student seeks to enroll the student’s status with the expelling district, pursuant to Education Code 48915.1(b).  (Education Code 48918(j))

7. Suspension of the enforcement of an expulsion order shall not affect the time period and requirements for the filing of an appeal of the expulsion order with the County Board.  (Education Code 48917)

The student or parent/guardian is entitled to file an appeal of the Board's decision with the County Board.  The appeal must be filed within 30 days of the Board's decision to expel, even if the expulsion order is suspended and the student is placed on probation.  (Education Code 48919)

The student shall submit a written request for a copy of the written transcripts and supporting documents from the district simultaneously with the filing of the notice of appeal with the County Board, the district shall provide the student with these documents within 10 school days following the student's written request.  (Education Code 48919)

Prior to the suspension or expulsion of any student, the principal or designee shall notify appropriate city or county law enforcement authorities of any student acts of assault which may have violated Penal Code 245.  (Education Code 48902)

The principal or designee shall notify appropriate city or county law enforcement authorities of any student acts which may involve the possession or sale of narcotics or of a controlled substance or of any student acts involving the possession, sale, or furnishment of firearms, explosives, or other dangerous weapons in violation of Education Code 48915(c)(1) or (5) or Penal Code 626.9 and 626.10.  (Education Code 48902)

Within one school day after a student's suspension or expulsion, the principal or designee shall notify appropriate county or district law enforcement authorities, by telephone or other appropriate means, of any student acts which may violate Education Code 48900(c) or (d), relating to the possession, use, offering, or sale of controlled substances, alcohol, or intoxicants of any kind.  (Education Code 48902)

The Board shall refer expelled students to a program of study that is:  (Education Code 48915, 48915.01)

1. Appropriately prepared to accommodate students who exhibit discipline problems

2. Not provided at a comprehensive middle, junior, or senior high school or at any elementary school, unless the program is offered at a community day school established at any of these

3. Not housed at the school site attended by the student at the time of suspension

When the placement described above is not available and when the County Superintendent so certifies, students expelled for acts described in items #6-12 under "Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion Grades K-12" and items #1-3 under "Additional Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion: Grades 4-12" above may be referred to a program of study that is provided at another comprehensive middle, junior, or senior high school or at an elementary school.  (Education Code 48915)

The program for a student expelled from any of grades K-6 shall not be combined or merged with programs offered to students in any of grades 7-12.  (Education Code 48916.1)

Prior to the date set by the Board for the student's readmission:

1. The Superintendent or designee shall hold a conference with the parent/guardian and the student. At the conference, the student's rehabilitation plan shall be reviewed and the Superintendent or designee shall verify that the provisions of this plan have been met. School regulations shall be reviewed and the student and parent/guardian shall be asked to indicate in writing their willingness to comply with these regulations.

2. The Superintendent or designee shall transmit to the Board a recommendation regarding readmission. The Board shall consider this recommendation in closed session. If a written request for open session is received from the parent/guardian or adult student, it shall be honored to the extent that privacy rights of other students are not violated.

3. If the readmission is granted, the Superintendent or designee shall notify the student and parent/guardian, by registered mail, of the Board's decision regarding readmission.

4. The Board may deny readmission only if it finds that the student has not satisfied the conditions of the rehabilitation plan or that the student continues to pose a danger to campus safety or to other district students or employees.  (Education Code 48916)

5. If the Board denies the readmission of a student, the Board shall determine either to continue the student's placement in the alternative educational program initially selected or to place the student in another program that serves expelled students, including placement in a county community school.  (Education Code 48916)

6. The Board shall provide written notice to the expelled student and parent/guardian describing the reasons for denying readmittance into the regular program.  This notice shall indicate the Board's determination of the educational program which the Board has chosen.  The student shall enroll in that program unless the parent/guardian chooses to enroll the student in another school district.  (Education Code 48916)

No student shall be denied readmission into the district based solely on the student's arrest, adjudication by a juvenile court, formal or informal supervision by a probation officer, detention in a juvenile facility, enrollment in a juvenile school, or other such contact with the juvenile justice system.  (Education Code 48645.5)