Suspensions and Expulsions

This section on suspensions and expulsions is an abbreviated outline of policies and procedures. At the time this Guide was printed, the Board’s Rules on suspensions and expulsions were being revised. For complete and up-to-date information, please refer to the Board Rules.

The removal of a student from school because of misbehavior is a serious matter. However, this removal is sometimes necessary when a student's behavior interferes with the efforts of the teachers to teach and of the other students to learn or when the safety of the students and teachers is involved.

The length of time the student is out of school depends both upon the seriousness of the incident and upon the student's previous conduct. Through this guide and other school announcements, students are informed of some of the behaviors that are not acceptable in City Schools.

Also, students should be aware that the school has the authority to take disciplinary action, even when the misbehavior occurs off school property or when schools are closed, if the behavior affects the good order and discipline of the school. Examples of when this can occur are the following: misbehaving on the way to or from school or misbehaving while participating in school-related activities such as field trips and athletic events.

In-school Suspension

“In-school Suspension” means a student’s exclusion for disciplinary reasons within the school building of the student from the regular educational program for a period not to exceed three (3) days.

Short-term Suspension

“Short-term Suspension” means the removal of a student from school by the school principal for disciplinary reasons for a period not to exceed ten days.

A short-term suspension can be for one to ten school days.
The principal (or his/her designee) can place a student on short-term suspension after a conference with the student. During this conference, the student can tell his or her side of the story.
Parents are notified when the student is placed on short-term suspension and a meeting is arranged at the school so that the school administrator, parents, and student can plan together to avoid any repetition of the misbehavior.

Long-term Suspension

“Long-term Suspension” means the removal of a student from school for disciplinary reasons for a period of more than ten days.

A long-term suspension may result in a student being out of school for several weeks or, in some cases, for several months.
While the principal can propose a student for long-term suspension after a conference with the student, the Division of Special Education and Student Support Services, Office of Attendance and Suspension Services, is responsible for making a decision about the case. A decision can be made to reinstate the student in the same school; provide an alternative placement or program for the student; transfer the student to another school; withdraw the student from school; recommend expulsion; or continue the student on suspension for professional counseling, evaluations, or other reasons.
Parents are notified by the school when the student is proposed for a long-term suspension. They meet with school officials at the school to learn why their child has been proposed for the suspension.
After meeting with school officials, the parents and the student meet with a suspension specialist at the Division of Student Support Services, Office of Attendance and Suspension Services. At the conference, every effort will be made to make a decision about the future education of the student. This meeting must be scheduled within ten school days of the student's removal or all rights of appeal shall apply. However, the right to appeal does not apply if the student and parent fail to keep the initial appointment. The case will will be rescheduled by the suspension associate.
Students have an opportunity to tell their side of the story both at the school meeting and at the Division of Student Support Services, Office of Attendance and Suspension Services meeting. Both parents and students are given an explanation of the reasons for the long-term suspension. Sometimes, in emergency situations, the school conference with the student and/or parents is delayed.
Examples of unacceptable behavior for which a student may be proposed for long-term suspension include the following: repeated or serious misbehavior; fighting; showing disrespect to school staff; stealing; and vandalism.

Expulsion

An expulsion means that the student cannot attend any regular day school program of City Schools during the period of expulsion.

Only the Chief Executive Officer can expel a student.
Examples of unacceptable behavior for which a student can be expelled include the following: possession of drugs; possession of a weapon; assault; repeated suspensions; and other serious infractions of school rules.
Generally, students will be expelled for possession of a weapon or the sale/distribution of drugs. (The CEO, on a case-by-case basis, may modify such expulsion requirements.)
Students must understand the following:
- It does not make any difference what kind of weapon is found or why the weapon is in the student's possession. Weapons include, but are not limited to, the following: a penknife; a large knife; brass knuckles; a chain; a pipe; nunchaku; a BB gun; a pellet gun; a starter pistol; a toy gun if it resembles a real gun; a revolver or automatic pistol—loaded or unloaded, operable or inoperable.
- If anyone asks a student to hold a weapon, the student should refuse. The student will be expelled because the weapon is in his or her possession. The person who brings the weapon to school will also be expelled.
- A student of any age may be expelled.
- These rules cover all activities that are connected with school. For example, students will be expelled if they have weapons at school football games, dances, and while traveling to and from school.
- Violations of law can result in arrest by the School Police and referral to the appropriate court.

Note: A student who has been expelled may be eligible for an alternative placement in an alternative school, which is defined as “A program outside of a student’s assigned school designed for at risk and/or disruptive students, or a transfer to another school when a specialized program is not available.”

Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities may be suspended or expelled according to the procedures established in The Rules of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners.

Make-up Work

Students placed on short-term or long-term suspension are considered “lawfully” absent. Students who are suspended or expelled for a specific period of time are also eligible to receive make-up work during the period of suspension or expulsion. Therefore, students must be provided the opportunity to make up classwork missed during the suspension period. It is the parent's or student's responsibility to obtain work during the period of absence through special arrangements made with the school administrator.

Suspended or expelled students may not be on school property unless permission is granted by the school administrator. Students will be given the number of days equal to the number of days absent to submit completed make-up work.

Restitution

The word “restitution” means restoring something that has been taken away or making payment for an injury or loss. City Schools is specifically charged with educating the children of Baltimore City. Part of the educational process is to teach respect for the person and property of others, as well as to teach the premise that all persons are responsible for their own behavior. If, as the result of certain behavior, properties are damaged, destroyed, or stolen, the person or persons responsible must be prepared to pay to repair or replace the property of the school system.

Vandalism

School staff tries to prevent vandalism and help students understand the need to respect the rights of others. Efforts are made to increase school pride, involve parents, and create activities and programs that stress pride in school and care of property.
Where minor acts of vandalism are committed, students may be required to perform school service chores as restitution to discourage future acts of this kind. For instance, a student may be asked to remove writing from the walls of a school building or clean a given area that has been dirtied by that student.

In addition, Maryland law describes a procedure for obtaining restitution from a parent and/or a student through Juvenile Court. Maryland law says that if a juvenile is found to be delinquent as the result of an act that has damaged another person or another person's property, the Juvenile Court may say that the juvenile or the parent of the juvenile must pay money to the injured person as repayment for the loss. City Schools will make every effort to be repaid for damage to its property through the use of Maryland law and the Juvenile Court.

Textbooks

Textbooks are a vital resource for our school system. If any student loses or damages textbooks assigned to him or her, the parent/guardian will be required to replace the textbook or pay the cost of repairing the damage. The principal may withhold books, supplies, or equipment until restitution or, in extenuating circumstances, an appeal has been made to the appropriate area executive officer.

If the textbooks are not recovered, the principal may withhold any records for the student responsible for the textbook(s); withhold the release of report cards and records (e.g., transcripts); and/or withhold graduation diplomas.

Loaned Instructional Materials

City Schools loans instructional materials in addition to textbooks for students to use in classes and activities. These materials include but are not limited to, the following: calculators, science laboratory equipment, musical instruments, band uniforms, choir robes, athletic uniforms and equipment. It is the responsibility of the student using and/or possessing loaned instructional materials to care for them properly and to return them in good condition, taking into account normal wear. The student and his/her parent/guardian are liable for any vandalism, damage, or theft because of negligence or improper use. Any other negative circumstances regarding these items must be reported to the teacher in charge immediately. Maintenance and repair, other than that which is performed by the system or respective school, is the responsibility of the student or guardian. Cost of replacement is also the responsibility of the student or guardian and will be determined according to fair and current market value.
If these items are not returned in satisfactory condition or cost of repair or replacement is not made, the principal may withhold any records for the student responsible for the instruments or uniforms; withhold the release of report cards and records (e.g., transcripts), and/or withhold diplomas.