DISCIPLINE APPEALS

Appeals for short term suspensions (1 – 10 days) are first held by the building principal. The following schools only have one administrator – the principal: Richard Bowling, Poplar Halls, St. Helena, Tarrallton, and Willoughby. Thus, it is the principal that issues the discipline disposition. The first line of appeal for these special schools is the Department of Student Support Services. The parents should put their request for an appeal in writing. After the principal hears the parents’ appeal in these cases, should the principal uphold the school’s disposition, the parent has another line of appeal. The parents may request a formal appeal with DSSS. This request must be in writing. Parents may also take their appeal to the civil courts.

The first line of appeal for students that are issued a Long-Term Suspension, Long-Term Suspension with Special Conditions, or Suggested Expulsion by the Tribunal Panel is the School Board. The parents should put their request for an appeal in writing.

In conducting an appeal, DSSS will:

• Perform a review of the law and due process
• Make a determination of fact versus supposition
• Review the mechanics of the incident associated with the appeal

Parents that do not agree with the Tribunal Panel’s disposition may appeal the findings to the School Board. The parent must put their appeal request in writing. Packets are prepared for the School Board. The City Attorney presents the School’s case.

Parents that do not agree with the School Board’s appeal findings have no further school system appeal. They may take their appeal to the civil courts.

Children With Disabilities Discipline Document

Related Websites:

http://www.virginiarules.com/virginia-rules/gangs

http://www.great-online.org/

http://www.ncpc.org/programs/teens-crime-and-the-community

http://www.stopbullying.gov/

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/student_conduct/index.shtml