Discipline

Acts for which student, including a student with disabilities, may be suspended or expelled shall be only those specified as follows and in the sections "Additional Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion: Grades 4-12" and "Additional Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion: Grades 9-12" below:

1. Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person: willfully used force or violence upon another person, except in self-defense; or committed as an aider or abettor, as adjudged by a juvenile court, a crime of physical violence in which the victim suffered great or serious bodily injury (Education Code 48900(a) and (t))

2. Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object, unless, in the case of possession of any object of this type, the student had obtained written permission to possess the item from a certificated school employee, with the principal or designee's concurrence  (Education Code 48900(b))

3. Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, otherwise furnished, or was under the influence of any controlled substance as defined in Health and Safety Code 11053-11058, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind  (Education Code 48900(c))

4. Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any controlled substance as defined in Health and Safety Code 11053-11058, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind, and then sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any person another liquid, substance, or material and represented same as such controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant  (Education Code 48900(d))

5. Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion  (Education Code 48900(e))

6. Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property  (Education Code 48900(f))

7. Stole or attempted to steal school property or private property  (Education Code 48900(g))

8. Possessed or used tobacco or products containing tobacco or nicotine products, including, but not limited to, cigars, cigarettes, miniature cigars, clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chew packets, and betel, except that this restriction shall not prohibit a student from using or possessing prescription products  (Education Code 48900(h))

9. Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity (Education Code 48900(i))

10. Unlawfully possessed, offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia, as defined in Health and Safety Code 11014.5 (Education Code 48900(j))

11. Knowingly received stolen school property or private property (Education Code 48900(l))

12. Possessed an imitation firearm (Education Code 48900(m))

Imitation firearm means a replica of a firearm that is so substantially similar in physical properties to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to conclude that the replica is a firearm.  (Education Code 48900(m))

13. Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault as defined in Penal Code 261, 266c, 286, 288, 288a, or 289, or committed a sexual battery as defined in Penal Code 243.4 (Education Code 48900(n))

14. Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a student who is a complaining witness or witness in a school disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of preventing that student from being a witness and/or retaliating against that student for being a witness (Education Code 48900(o))

15. Unlawfully offered, arranged to sell, negotiated to sell, or sold the prescription drug Soma (Education Code 48900(p))

16. Engaged in, or attempted to engage in, hazing (Education Code 48900(q))

Hazing means a method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization or body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by an educational institution, which is likely to cause serious bodily injury or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to a former, current, or prospective student.  Hazing does not include athletic events or school-sanctioned events. (Education Code 48900(q))

17. Engaged in an act of bullying (Education Code 48900(r))

Bullying means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or by means of an electronic act, directed toward one or more students that has or can reasonably be predicted to have the effect of placing a reasonable student in fear of harm to self or property; cause the student to experience a substantially detrimental effect on physical or mental health; or cause the student to experience substantial interferences with academic performance or ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school. (Education Code 48900(r))

Bullying shall include any act of sexual harassment, hate violence, or harassment, threat, or intimidation, as defined in Education Code 48900.2, 48900.3, or 48900.4 and below in the section Additional Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion: Grades 4-12," that has any of the effects described above on a reasonable student.

Bullying also includes an act of cyber sexual bullying by a student through the dissemination of, or the solicitation or incitement to disseminate, a photograph or other visual recording that depicts a nude, semi-nude, or sexually explicit photograph or other visual recording of an identifiable minor, when such dissemination is to another student or to school personnel by means of an electronic act and has or can be reasonably predicted to have one or more of the effects of bullying described above. Cyber sexual bullying does not include a depiction, portrayal, or image that has any serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific value or that involves athletic events or school-sanctioned activities.

Electronic act means the creation or transmission originated on or off the school site, by means of an electronic device, including, but not limited to, a telephone, wireless telephone, or other wireless communication device, computer, or pager. of a communication including, but not limited to:  (Education Code 48900(r))

a. A message, text, sound, video, or image

b. A post on a social network Internet web site shall include, but is not limited to, the posting or creation of a burn page or the creation of a credible impersonation or false profile for the purpose of causing a reasonable student any of the effects of bullying described above.

Reasonable student means a student, including, but not limited to, a student who has been identified as a student with a disability, who exercises average care, skill, and judgment in conduct for a person of his/her age, or for a person of the student’s age with and disability.  (Education Code 48900(r))

18. Aided or abetted the infliction or attempted infliction of physical injury on another person, as defined in Penal Code 31  (Education Code 48900(t)

19. Made terrorist threats against school officials and/or school property.  (Education Code 48900.7)

A terrorist threat includes any written or oral statement by a person who willfully threatens to commit a crime which will result in death or great bodily injury to another person or property damage in excess of $1,000, with the specific intent that the statement is to be taken as a threat, even if there is no intent of actually carrying it out.  (Education Code 48900.7)

A student in grades 4-12 is also subject to suspension or recommendation for expulsion when it is determined that the student:

1. Committed sexual harassment as defined in Education Code 212.5 (Education Code 48900.2)

Sexual harassment means conduct which, when considered from the perspective of a reasonable person of the same gender as the victim, is sufficiently severe or pervasive as to have a negative impact upon the victim's academic performance or to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.  (Education Code 212.5, 48900.2)

2. Caused, attempted to cause, threatened to cause, or participated in an act of hate violence as defined in Education Code 233 (Education Code 48900.3)

Hate violence means any act punishable under Penal Code 422.6, 422.7, or 422.75.  Such acts include injuring or intimidating a victim, interfering with the exercise of a victim's civil rights, or damaging a victim's property because of the victim's race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation; a perception of the presence of any of those characteristics in the victim; or the victim's association with a person or group with one or more of those actual or perceived characteristics.  (Education Code 233; Penal Code 422.55)

3. Intentionally engaged in harassment, threats, or intimidation against district personnel or students that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to have the actual and reasonably expected effect of materially disrupting classwork, creating substantial disorder, and invading the rights of school personnel or students by creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment (Education Code 48900.4)
 

A teacher suspend a student from class for the remainder of the day and the following day for or any of the acts specified in Education Code 48900 and listed as items #1-18 under "Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion" above or for disruption or willful defiance at any grade level, including grades K-8.  .  (Education Code 48910)

When suspending a student from class, the teacher shall immediately report this action to the principal or designee and send the student to the principal or designee for appropriate action. If that action requires the continuing presence of the student at school, the student shall be appropriately supervised during the class periods from which the student has been suspended.  (Education Code 48910)

As soon as possible, after the teacher decides to suspend the teacher shall ask the student's parent/guardian to attend a parent-teacher conference regarding the suspension.  A counselor or psychologist may attend the conference if it is practicable, and a school administrator shall attend if either the parent/guardian or teacher so requests.  (Education Code 48910)

A student removed from class shall not be returned to class during the period of suspension without the approval of the teacher of the class and the principal or designee.  (Education Code 48910)

A student suspended from class shall not be placed in another regular class during the period of suspension.  However, if a student is assigned to more than one class per day may continue to attend other regular classes except those held at the same time as the class from which the student was suspended.  (Education Code 48910)

The teacher of any class from which a student is suspended may require the student to complete any assignments and tests missed during the removal.  (Education Code 48913)

To implement disciplinary procedures at a school site, the principal may, in writing, designate as the principal's designee another administrator or, if the principal is the only administrator at the school site, a certificated employee. As necessary, the principal may, in writing, also designate another administrator or certificated employee as the secondary designee to assist with disciplinary procedures when the principal and the principal's primary designee are absent from the school site.

The Superintendent, principal, or designee shall immediately suspend any student found at school or at a school activity to have committed any of the acts listed in the Board policy under "Authority to Expel" for which a recommendation of expulsion is required.  (Education Code 48915(c))
The Superintendent, principal, or designee may impose a suspension a first offense if it is determined that the student violated any of items #1-5 listed under "Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion: Grades K-12" above or if the student's presence causes a danger to persons. A student may be suspended only when the Superintendent or principal has determined that other means of correction have failed to bring about proper conduct in the student.  (Education Code 48900.5)

For all other offenses, a student may be suspended only when the Superintendent or principal has determined that other means of correction have failed to bring about proper conduct.  (Education Code 48900.5)

When other means of correction are implemented prior to imposing suspension upon the student, the Superintendent, principal, or designee shall document the other means of correction used and retain the documentation in the student's record.  (Education Code 48900.5)
 

The Superintendent, principal, or designee may suspend a student from school for not more than five consecutive school days.  (Education Code 48911)

A student may be suspended from school for not more than 20 school days in any school year.  However, if a student enrolls in or is transferred to another regular school, an opportunity school, or continuation school or class for the purpose of adjustment, the student may be suspended for not more than 30 school days in a school year.  The district may count suspensions that occur while a student is enrolled in another school district toward the maximum number of days for which the student may be suspended in any school year.  (Education Code 48903, 48911, 48912)

These restrictions on the number of days of suspension shall not apply when the suspension is extended pending an expulsion.  (Education Code 48911)

Suspensions shall be imposed in according to the following procedures:
 

1. Informal Conference:  Suspension shall be preceded by an informal conference conducted by the Superintendent, principal, or designee with the student and, whenever practicable, the teacher, supervisor, or school employee who referred the student to the principal.  At the conference, the student shall be informed of the reason for the disciplinary action, including the other means of correction that were attempted before the suspension as required pursuant to Education Code 48900.5, and the evidence against the student, and shall be given the opportunity to present the student’s version and evidence. (Education Code 48911)

This conference may be omitted if the Superintendent, principal, or designee determines that an emergency situation exists involving a clear and present danger to the lives, safety, or health of students or school personnel. If a student is suspended without this conference, both the parent/guardian and student shall be notified of the student's right to return to school for the purpose of the conference and the conference shall be held within two school days, unless the student waives the right to it or is physically unable to attend for any reason. In such a case, the conference shall be held as soon as the student is physically able to return to school.  (Education Code 48911)

2. Administrative Actions:  All requests for student suspension are to be processed by the principal or designee.  A school employee shall report the suspension, including the name of the student and the cause for the suspension, to the Superintendent or designee.  (Education Code 48911)

3. Notice to Parents/Guardians:  At the time of the suspension, a school employee shall make a reasonable effort to contact the parent/guardian by telephone or in person. Whenever a student is suspended, the parent/guardian shall be notified in writing of the suspension.  (Education Code 48911)

This notice shall state the specific offense committed by the student.  (Education Code 48900.8)

In addition, the notice may state the date and time when the student may return to school. 

4. Parent/Guardian Conference:  Whenever a student is suspended, school officials may request a meeting with the parent/guardian to discuss the cause(s) and duration of the suspension, the school policy involved, and any other pertinent matter.  (Education Code 48914)

If school officials request to meet with the parent/guardian the notice may add that state law requires the parent/guardian to respond to such requests without delay. However, no penalties may be imposed on the student for the failure of the parent/guardian to attend such a conference.  The student may not be denied reinstatement solely because the parent/guardian failed to attend the conference.  (Education Code 48911)

5. Extension of Suspension:  If the Board is considering the expulsion of a suspended student from any school or the suspension of a student for the balance of the semester from continuation school, the Superintendent or designee may, in writing, extend the suspension until such time as the Board has made a decision, provided the following requirements are followed:  (Education Code 48911)

a. Any extension of the original period of suspension shall be preceded by notice of such extension with an offer to hold a conference concerning the extension, giving the student an opportunity to be heard.  This conference may be held in conjunction with
a meeting requested by the student or parent/guardian to challenge the original suspension. 

b. The Superintendent or designee determines, following a meeting in which the student and the student's parent/guardian were invited to participate, that the student's presence at the school or at an alternative school would endanger persons or property or threaten to disrupt the instructional process.  (Education Code 48911)

c. If the student involved is a foster youth, the Superintendent or designee shall notify the district liaison for foster youth of the need to invite the student's attorney and a representative of the appropriate county child welfare agency to attend the meeting.  (Education Code 48853.5, 48911, 48918.1)

d. If the student involved is a homeless child or youth, the Superintendent or designee shall notify the district liaison for homeless students.  (Education Code 48918.1)

In lieu of or in addition to suspending a student, the Superintendent, principal, or designee may provide services or require the student to participate in an alternative disciplinary program designed to correct the behavior and keep the student in school.

The Board may suspend a student for any of the acts listed in "Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion: Grades K-12"Additional Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion: Grades 4-12" and "Additional Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion: Grades 9-12" above and within the limits specified in under "Suspension by Superintendent, Principal, or Designee" above.  (Education Code 48912)

The Board may suspend a student enrolled in a continuation school or class for a period not longer than the remainder of the semester. The suspension shall meet the requirements of Education Code 48915.  (Education Code 48912.5)

When the Board is considering a suspension, disciplinary action, or any other action (except expulsion) against any student, it shall hold a closed session if a public hearing would lead to disclosure of information that would violate a student's right to privacy under Education Code 49073-49079.  (Education Code 35146, 48912)

The Board shall provide the student and parent/guardian with written notice of the closed session by registered or certified mail or personal service.  Upon receiving this notice, the student or parent/guardian may request a public meeting, and this request shall be granted if made in writing within 48 hours after receipt of the Board's notice.  However, any discussion that conflicts with any other student's right to privacy still shall be held in closed session.  (Education Code 35146, 48912)

A student for whom an expulsion action has not been initiated and who poses no imminent danger or threat to the school, students, or staff may be assigned to a on-campus suspension classroom in a separate classroom, building, or site for the entire period of suspension.  The following conditions shall apply:  (Education Code 48911.1)

1. The on-campus suspension classroom shall be staffed in accordance with law.

2. The student shall have access to appropriate counseling services.

3. The on-campus suspension classroom shall promote completion of schoolwork and tests missed by the student during the suspension.

4. The student shall be responsible for contacting the student’s teacher(s) to receive assignments to be completed in the supervised suspension classroom.  The teacher(s) shall provide all assignments and tests that the student will miss while suspended.  If no such work is assigned, the person supervising the suspension classroom shall assign schoolwork.

At the time a student is assigned to an on-campus suspension classroom, the principal or designee shall notify the student's parent/guardian in person or by telephone.  When the assignment is for longer than one class period, this notification shall be made in writing.  (Education Code 48911.1)

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)