Student Discipline

POLICY 3200 explains the general policy of CVSD regarding student conduct. POLICY 3200 & PROCEDURE 3240 describes the disciplinary actions that may be imposed if a student should violate district policy. Definitions and discipline hearing information is listed in POLICY 3241 & PROCEDURE 3241AP.

General Rules and Regulations

The development of these rules and regulations observes the “Students/Pupils” section of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC 392-400). In the event of inconsistencies between the state administrative provisions and school district rules, regulations and implementing procedures, or that the State Board of Education revises the administrative provisions at a later date, the WAC will supersede the district's rules. The enforcement of rules promulgated by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) and like organizations that govern the participation of students in inter–school activities and related appeals will be governed by rules of the organization that have been adopted pursuant to RCW 28A.600.200 and approved by the State Board of Education, not by district rules.

A student has rights in the context of these rules insofar as the student is duly enrolled in a particular school in CVSD.

Disciplinary Action

If the school is to maintain an atmosphere which is conducive to learning and which ensures the educational rights of each student, the reasonable exercise of authority by school officials is a necessity. In fulfilling this duty, the schools recognize the need for an equitable procedure of disciplinary action which assures the rights and obligations of each individual. The degree of disciplinary action imposed will be consistent with the misconduct involved.

Any student or parent who is aggrieved by the imposition of discipline will have the right to an informal conference with the building principal/designee for the purpose of resolving the grievance. If the grievance is not resolved, the student or parent will have the right to continue the appropriate grievance procedure through the superintendent and/or board as described in PROCEDURE 3241.

Substances

Disciplinary sanctions consistent with local, state, and federal laws, up to and including removal/expulsion and referral for prosecution, will be imposed on students who violate the standards of conduct prohibiting the unlawful possession, sale, use, or distribution of illicit drugs, marijuana/cannabis, including anabolic steroids, alcohol, or tobacco/vaping products by students on school premises, grounds, in school- owned vehicles, or any other school- approved vehicle used to transport students to or from school or school activities, including athletic events, dances, field trips, etc.

PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO IMPOSE DISCIPLINARY ACTION/PROCEDURES

Discipline and Emergency Removal

After attempting at least one other form of corrective action each certificated teacher, school administrator, school bus driver, and any other school employee designated by the board of directors will possess the authority to impose discipline upon a student for conduct which violates rules of the school district and certificated staff may impose an emergency removal from class subject or activity and send the student to the building principal/ designee. Corrective action does not need to be attempted prior to discipline in emergency circumstances. WAC 392-400- 025(3)

Suspensions, Removal or Expulsion

The CVSD Board of Directors delegates to the superintendent and/or designee(s) the authority to administer discipline, including all exclusionary discipline, upon students for misconduct which violates rules of the district. The superintendent designates disciplinary authority to impose classroom exclusions, in-school suspensions, short-term suspensions, long-term suspensions, expulsions, and emergency removals to school principals and assistant principals. Each certificated teacher may implement the classroom exclusion of a student and may also recommend to their principal/designee the imposition of suspension, removal or expulsion upon students. WAC 392-400- 330(2)

Procedures

All disciplinary action will be covered by and be subject to the due process procedures issued pursuant to POLICY & PROCEDURE 3241.

APPLICATION FOR READMISSION

A student who has been suspended or ex- pelled may apply for readmission at any time. If a student desires to be readmitted to the school from which he/she has been suspended or expelled, the student will submit a written application to the principal, who will recommend admission or non-admission. If a student wishes admission to another school, he/she will submit the written application to the superintendent.

Any such application should include: the reasons the student wants to return and why the request should be considered; any evidence which supports the request; and a supporting statement from the parent or others who may have assisted the student. Any application may also include such assurances as may be appropriate concerning the non- recurrence of the problem which led to such suspension, removal or expulsion.

The superintendent will advise the student and parent/guardian of the decision within seven school days of the receipt of such application.

REENGAGEMENT

The district will make efforts to have long- term suspended or expelled students return to an educational setting as soon as possible. The district will convene a meeting with the student and the student's parents within 20 calendar days of the start of the student's long-term suspension, removal or expulsion, but no later than five calendar days before the student's return to school, or as soon as reasonably possible, if the student or parents request a prompt reengagement meeting, to discuss a plan to reengage the student in a school program.

In developing a reengagement plan, the district will consider the nature and circumstances of the incident that led to the student's suspension, removal or expulsion; as appropriate, the students' cultural histories and contexts, family cultural norms and values, community resources, and community and parent outreach; shortening the length of time that the student is suspended or expelled; providing academic and nonacademic supports that aid in the student's academic success and keep the student engaged and on track to graduate; and supporting the student parents or school personnel in taking action to remedy the circumstances that resulted in the suspension, removal or expulsion and preventing similar circumstances from recurring.

The district will collaborate with the student and parents to develop a culturally-sensitive and culturally- responsive reengagement plan tailored to the student's individual circumstances to support the student in successfully returning to school.

Any reengagement meetings conducted by the district involving the long-term suspended or expelled student and his or her parents are distinct from, and not intended to replace, a petition for readmission (RCW 28A.600.022).

The district may preclude a student from returning to their regular educational setting following the end date of a suspension, removal or expulsion to protect victims of certain offenses pursuant to POLICY & PROCEDURE 3241 (WAC 392-400-810).

Due Process Rights

Suspension, Removal or Expulsion

Before administering any suspension, removal or expulsion, the district must conduct an initial hearing with the student to hear the student's perspective. For in- school or short-term suspension, the district must provide the student an opportunity to contact his or her parent(s) regarding the initial hearing. For long-term suspension, removal or expulsion, the district must make a reasonable attempt to contact the student's parents and provide an opportunity for the parents to participate in the initial hearing in person or by telephone. Following the initial hearing, the district will provide notice of the disciplinary decision as set forth in PROCEDURE 3241 (WAC 392-400-450).

A student or the parent(s) may appeal a suspension, removal or expulsion to the superintendent/designee orally or in writing within five school business days from when the district provided written notice. WAC 392-400-460

If a request for appeal is not received within the required five school business days, then the right to a hearing may be deemed to have been waived and the proposed suspension, removal or expulsion may be imposed without any further appeal rights.

Emergency Removal

Parents will be provided with notice of the emergency removal as soon as reasonably possible, and both students and parents will also be provided with written notice of the removal within 24 hours as set forth in PROCEDURE 3241 (WAC 392-400- 515).

Students who are subject to emergency removal may not attend class until the emergency removal is converted to another form of discipline or rescinded. Emergency removals must end or be converted to another form of corrective action within 10 school days from the date of the emergency removal from school.

Notice and due process rights must be provided when an emergency removal is converted to another form of corrective action.

A student or the parent(s) may appeal an emergency removal to the superintendent/designee orally or in writing within three school business days from when the district provided the student and parent(s) with written notice.

If a request is not received within the required three school business day period, then the right to a hearing may be deemed to have been waived and the emergency removal may be continued as deemed necessary by the district without any further appeal rights.