Student Discipline
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School discipline is the actions taken by a teacher or the school organization towards a student (or group of students) when the student's behavior disrupts the ongoing educational activity or breaks a rule created by the teacher or the school system. Discipline can guide the children's behavior or set limits to help them learn to take care of themselves, other people and the world around them.
Student Discipline
The Selma Unified School District recognizes that self-discipline is both a learned behavior and a prerequisite for learning. The District strives to maintain a challenging, positive, educational environment which is conducive to students achieving success and developing self-discipline. The District is committed to providing a positive, stimulating, and safe school environment where mutual respect is the underlying principle and rules are publicized, explained and enforced. Our standards of student conduct derive from the goals of respect for self, for property, and for others.
Suspensions/Expulsions
Students may be suspended or expelled for the following reasons under Education Code section 48900.
Mandatory Expulsions
Education Code section 48915(c) requires the principal or superintendent of schools to immediately suspend and recommend for expulsion students who have committed the following specified acts:
1. Possessing, selling, or otherwise furnishing a firearm
2. Brandishing a knife at another person
3. Unlawful sale of a controlled substance
4. Committing or attempting to commit a sexual assault or battery
5. Possession of an explosive
Expulsion Timeline
Student is placed on a five (5) day suspension
On the 5th day, the parent and student will have a meeting in the Pupil Services Office where the entire process of expulsion, the charges against the student and his/her rights will be explained.
Extension of Suspension
The original 5 day suspension may be extended up to another 25 additional school days if it is determined that returning the student to school would either:
1. Present a danger to persons or property, or
2. Present an ongoing threat of disrupting the educational environment (E.C. 48911)
During this period of extended suspension, the student SHOULD NOT be on or around any school campus, before, during, or after school, or at any school related activity or event.
Expulsion Hearing
The expulsion hearing must be held within 30 school days of the time that the principal or Superintendent determines the student has violated Education Code section 48900, unless the student or his parents request a postponement in writing.
Written notice of the hearing must be given at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the date of the hearing.
At the hearing, there will be a representative of the District who will facilitate the process, a three member certificated administrative panel who will hear the case, the parent/guardian, student and/or representative. You may also retain an attorney to represent your son/daughter in this process.
The burden is on the District to bring in witnesses and present evidence to support the allegations against the student. The parent/guardian and student will be able to ask questions of the witnesses, tell his/her side of the story, and present any evidence on his/her behalf.
The panel will listen to all evidence presented and decide whether it supports a recommendation for expulsion. The recommendation of the panel will go to the Board of Education at their next meeting and be reviewed in closed session. The parent will then be notified of the final decision by certified mail.
Pursuant to Education Code section 48923, a parent/guardian may appeal the expulsion to the County Office of Education within 30 calendar days of the Board's decision to expel the student.
Education Programs for Expelled Students
At the time a student is expelled, the governing Board is required to ensure that an educational program is provided to the student.
Phoenix Primary or Secondary School
If a child is placed on suspended expulsion, then they will still be eligible to attend a District program during the period of suspended expulsion. This placement can be to another comprehensive school site or to one of our Districts alternative education programs, such as Phoenix Primary or Secondary school. During this period of suspended expulsion, he/she must maintain a grade point average of 2.0, have good attendance and good behavior or his/her suspended expulsion may be revoked by the District.
Fresno County Community Day School
A student expelled from the District will be referred to a county community day school, such as Violet Heinz Educational Academy. During his/her period of expulsion he/she must maintain a grade point average of 2.0, have good attendance and good behavior.
Charter Schools
A child does not have to attend one of these programs and may elect to enroll his/her child in a charter school. The District does not refer a student to these programs but can provide a parent/guardian with contact information for Fresno area charter schools.
Readmissions
At the end of a student's period of expulsion, he/she is eligible for readmission to the school district. The family will receive written notice of the need to schedule an appointment for readmission at which time they will meet with the Superintendents Designee - the Coordinator of Pupil Services. The family will be expected to show evidence of good attendance, good grades and behavior while at an alternative educational setting during the period of expulsion, as well as the completion of any other recommendations ordered by the Board (i.e. certificates of completion for anger management, substance abuse counseling, etc.)
If the conditions of expulsion were met by the student, then they will be readmitted to a district program which may be other than the one from which they were expelled.
Special Education Students
Within 10 days of the suspension and recommendation for expulsion the school district must conduct a manifestation determination meeting to determine whether the student's qualifying disability was related to the behavior that resulted in the disciplinary action.