The Board of Education recognizes that suspension from a Special Education Program is the most severe sanction that can be imposed on a disabled student and one which shall be imposed only to protect the safety and well-being of the student and others.

For purposes of the policy, "suspension" shall be the temporary exclusion of a student from a school program and/or transportation. Suspensions shall not exceed ten (10) school days in any one school year.

A student may be suspended by the building principal. Such action shall be reported to the Superintendent as soon as possible. If the recommended suspension exceeds three (3) consecutive school days and is for more than a routine violation of school policy, the building principal shall request a I.E.P. Team meeting to determine if the misconduct results from the disabling condition and, if so, to prescribe an appropriate alternative education program during suspension.

No student shall be deprived of the right to an education in the public schools of the District without notice of the charges to him/her and his/her parents and an opportunity to be heard in his/her own behalf before the person or body with the authority to reinstate him/her. Each student shall be afforded an informal hearing before the suspension or, if circumstances prohibit, as soon as possible after the suspension.

Education for the disabled may be changed, but not terminated. The complete cessation of educational services is not available for discipline of the disabled student. An expulsion recommendation by the principal requires that educational services be provided in another manner. The principal may recommend expulsion if necessary to protect the safety and well-being of the student and others.

The I.E.P. Team must meet to determine if the students behavior is the result of inappropriate placement, the disabling condition or simply misconduct unrelated to the disability. If the principal's expulsion recommendation stands and the student is to be removed from the Education Program prescribed on the I.E.P., the I.E.P. Team must then agree upon a change of educational program following standard policies of the District and Federal and State law.