ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION - 5145.1

To assist students in developing the skills of self-direction and responsibility, each principal will prescribe school rules not inconsistent with the law or the rules prescribed by the State Board of Education for the government of the students under their jurisdiction. The principal will notify parents at the beginning of each year or at the time a new student enrolls that these rules are available for their review in the principal's office.

Suspension of students from school will be imposed only when other means of correction fail to bring about proper conduct.

A pupil will be suspended from school only after the principal determines that the pupil, while on school grounds or during an activity off school grounds related to school attendance, has:

1. Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or stole or attempted to steal school property.

2. Caused or attempted to cause damage to private property or stole or attempted to steal private property.

3. Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person except in self-defense.

4. Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object of no reasonable use to the pupil at school, or at a school activity off school grounds, as the case may be.

5. Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of any controlled substance, as defined in Section 11007 of the Health and Safety Code, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind.

6. Possessed or used tobacco on school premises, except as provided in Section 48903.6.

7. Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity.

8. Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the valid authority of supervisors, teachers, or administrators.

The principal of a school may suspend a student upon a first offense orally in cases where the pupil's continued presence would constitute a danger to other persons or property or a threat to the instructional processes.

A teacher may suspend a student from his or her class for any of the acts enumerated, for the day of the suspension and the following day. Notification of the principal and parent, including a request for parent conference by the teacher, shall occur prior to the end of the first day of suspension.

The principal shall not suspend a student for more than five consecutive school days. A student may not be suspended more than twenty school days in one given school year. A student may be suspended for an additional ten school days only after he has been transferred for adjustment reasons to another school or opportunity program.

Suspended students shall be allowed to complete all assignments and tests missed during the suspension that can be reasonably provided and upon satisfactory completion, shall be given full credit.

A student may only be suspended from school if he/she has been afforded due process as indicated in the Administrative Procedures for suspension of students. The procedures include an informal conference with the student at which time they are informed of the reason for the disciplinary action. In addition, the parents or guardian will be provided with a written notice of suspension and the student allowed an appeal process whereby he/she may request a hearing.