POLICY ON STUDENT SUSPENSION

No student shall be suspended, except pursuant to the procedures contained in this code and except for violation of rules and regulations governing student behavior as noted in this code.  Under no circumstances shall a student be suspended for a period of more than ten (l0) days at one time.

External Suspension

1. Students may not be on school property.
2. Students will obtain assignments prior to serving the suspension.
3. Students may not participate in extracurricular activities.
4. A parent conference will take place before the student returns to school.

The Principal or designee may suspend a student from school for a maximum of ten (10) days, for violation of the following:

1. Use of violence, force, coercion, threat, intimidation, or other comparable conduct which constitutes a substantial interference with school activity.
2. Causes, or attempts to cause, damage to school property, or transportation vehicles.
3. Larceny or petty theft involving school property or private property on school grounds during school activity.
4. Extorting any student for the purpose of, or with the intent of, obtaining money or anything of value from such student.
5. Attempts to cause physical injury to any student or any employee of the School Department.
6. Possession of any weapon or object which can reasonably be considered or used as a weapon.
7. Threats, harassment, or intimidation of any student or staff member after warning from a teacher or school official to cease and desist.
8. Open or persistent defiance of a teacher or other school employee.
9. Possession, use and/or distribution of drugs and/or alcohol.
10. Smoking is prohibited in all public schools. (Refer to Chapter 71, Section 2A, MGL).
11. Use of profane or obscene language.
12. Organization and/or participation in the practice of hazing on school grounds or during school sponsored events. (Refer to Chapter 536, MGL).
13. Sexual harassment in the educational setting is prohibited by law.
14. Bringing electronic equipment, i.e. radios, CD players, beepers, telephones, tape players, and other similar devices, onto school property during regular school hours.

Contraband must be surrendered upon request of faculty/administration.  Personal property will be returned at appropriate time.

The rules governing student behavior and administration of discipline in the Chicopee Public Schools make no attempt to describe every conceivable infraction which might occur. 

There are far too many circumstances and examples of inappropriate and unacceptable conduct to attempt a detailed or exhaustive listing.  Students are, therefore, expected to behave in a manner which is acceptable and reasonable, fully recognizing the rights of others as well as their responsibility in maintaining a healthy environment.

Every suspension shall be preceded by an informal conference between the student and Principal or designee.  The student shall be informed of the reason(s) for disciplinary action, and shall be given the opportunity to give reason(s) that the suspension is not warranted.

The Principal or designee shall make a reasonable effort to contact parent/guardian at home or work to inform them of the impending suspension.

Within the twenty-four (24) hours after the beginning of a suspension, the Principal or designee shall mail a notice to the parent/guardian with a copy to the Superintendent.  The notice shall be in the language of the parent/guardian and shall contain:

1. A statement of the facts relating to the suspension.
2. A statement of the effective date and duration of the suspension.
3. A request that the parent/guardian schedule a conference as soon as possible.

If there are multiple suspensions in any one school year, the Principal may refer the student for a Chapter 766 evaluation to determine if the student is in need of a special education program.  Parents may refer a student for an evaluation at any time if they believe it's appropriate.  If suspended, the student will be allowed to make up work missed due to the suspension within a reasonable amount of time.

Any student who has been suspended from a school district pursuant to these provisions shall have the right to appeal to the Superintendent.  If the student is initially suspended by an administrator other than the Principal, initial appeal is to the Building Principal within 5 days of the date of the suspension. The suspended student shall have ten (10) days from the date of the suspension in which to notify the Superintendent of his appeal.  The student has the right to counsel at a hearing before the Superintendent.  The subject matter of the appeal shall not be limited solely to a factual determination of whether the student has violated any provision of this section.

The Superintendent or designee shall, subject to regulations established by the State Board of Education, maintain records of suspensions, the names, the dates and duration thereof and the reasons therefore, but such records, if made public, shall not disclose the identity of any student or his family or the identity of any school personnel.

School on Saturday

Students facing outside suspension for non-violent infractions may participate in the School on Saturday program offered at the high schools and the middle schools.  School on Saturday consists of 2 l/2 hours of supervised study for students who are in danger of suspension.

CHS students only:  additional offering of (after) School on Wednesday.

Long-term Suspension

A long-term suspension is the removal of a student from his educational program for more than ten (l0) consecutive school days but no more than thirty (30) consecutive school days.  Expulsion shall be considered  as any term of removal of a student from his educational program for more than (30) days.

The same grounds for expulsion shall also apply and constitute grounds for long-term suspension.

Procedure For Long Term Suspension

1. The student shall be notified in writing of the opportunity for a hearing before the Principal prior to the effective date of the suspension.  The student may be represented by counsel, along with the opportunity to present evidence and witnesses on his behalf at the hearing before the Principal.

2. After the hearing, the Principal may, in his discretion, decide to suspend the student for a period of no more than thirty (30) school days.

3. Any student who has been suspended pursuant to this provision may have the right to appeal to the Superintendent by providing notice to the Superintendent of his appeal within ten (10) days from the date of the notification of suspension.  The Superintendent may modify the suspension of a student on a case-by-case basis.

The Principal shall provide written notification to the Superintendent of any long-term suspension.  A copy of said notification shall be mailed to the parent or legal guardian of the student.

If suspended, the student will be allowed to make up the work missed if done so within a reasonable amount of time.

Should a Principal decide to suspend rather than expel a student after notice and hearing on expulsion, the Principal may do so at his discretion.  The above appeal procedures shall then apply.