SUSPENSION

The St. Mary Parish School Board recognizes its authority to maintain good order and discipline within the schools of the school district.  Therefore, the School Board recognizes the principal's authority to suspend a student for a specified period in accordance with statutory provisions.

 

Prior to any out-of-school suspension or assignment to alternative placement, the school principal or his/her designee shall advise the student of the misconduct of which he/she is accused as well as the basis for such accusation, and the student shall be given an opportunity at that time to explain his/her version of the facts.  The principal/designee shall contact the parent or legal guardian of the student to notify them of the suspension and establish a date and time for a conference with the principal or designee as a requirement for readmitting the student.  Notice shall be given by contacting the parent or legal guardian by telephone at the telephone number shown on the student's registration card, or by electronic communication or by a certified letter sent to the address shown on the student's registration card.  The principal shall promptly advise the Superintendent or designee of all such suspensions, stating the reasons for the suspensions.

 

A student who is suspended for longer than ten (10) days shall be provided with academic instruction at an alternative setting in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:416.2.

 

No suspended student shall be allowed to leave the school premises during the school day until the parent, guardian, or other proper authorities assume responsibility for him/her, unless immediate removal from school due to danger or threat of disruption to academic process is warranted.

 

If the parent, or legal guardian fails to attend the required conference within five (5) school days of notification, the truancy laws shall be effective.  On not more than one occasion each school year when the parent, or legal guardian refuses to respond to the notice, the principal may determine whether readmitting the student is in the best interest of the student.  On any subsequent occasions in the same school year, the student shall not be readmitted unless the parent, or legal guardian, court, or other appointed representative responds.

 

If a teacher, principal, or other school employee is authorized to require the parent, or legal guardian of a student to attend a conference or meeting regarding the student's behavior and after notice, the parent, or legal guardian willfully refuses to attend, the principal or his/her designee shall file a complaint, in accordance with statutory provisions, with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction.

 

When a student is suspended for a second time within one school year, the principal may require a counseling session be held with the parent and student by the school counselor.  In the event there is no school counselor assigned to that school, the principal may require a conference between the parent, student, and all the student's teachers and the principal or other administrator.

 

Any student, after being suspended on three (3) occasions for committing drugs or weapons offenses during the same school year, shall upon committing the fourth offense, be expelled from all the public schools of the system until the beginning of the next regular school year, and the student's reinstatement shall be subject to the review and approval of the School Board.

 

The principal and other appropriate personnel shall be required to file written documentation of all suspensions.  Said documentation shall include the circumstances surrounding any suspension, the reason for suspension, and any other pertinent facts concerning the disciplinary action.  The principal shall file copies of his/her report with the Superintendent, other appropriate personnel and the parent or guardian and retain a copy for his/her records.

 

Upon the seizure by any teacher, principal, school security guard, or other school administrator of any firearm, knife, or other dangerous implement which could be used as a weapon or inflict injury, the principal or his or her designee shall be required to report the confiscation to appropriate law enforcement officials.