School Discipline Hearings 4/20/2017 MAPP Conference 19 November 2010 School Discipline Hearings Buzz Williams Assistant Supervisor in Student Services Harford County Public Schools buzz.williams@hcps.org 410-588-5336 Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

4/20/2017 Purpose To provide an overview of school disciplinary hearing procedures. Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Maryland has 24 school systems 4/20/2017 Maryland has 24 school systems …and 24 unique procedures for conducting school discipline hearings. Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Our titles across Maryland: 4/20/2017 Our titles across Maryland: Superintendent’s Designee Hearing Officer Director of Student Services Assistant Supervisor in Student Services Pupil Personnel Worker Special Assistant for Safe and Orderly Schools Administrative Director of Secondary Ed. Coordinator of Student Services Appeals Unit Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Continuum of Approaches 4/20/2017 Continuum of Approaches Counseling Courtroom Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Common Components Case Preparation Introduction Hearing Discussion 4/20/2017 Common Components Case Preparation Introduction Hearing Discussion Disposition Closure Documentation Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Case Preparation Demographic information 4/20/2017 Case Preparation Demographic information Administrative incident report Due Process Discipline history Attendance history Academic history Possible consequences Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Due Process (14th Amendment) 4/20/2017 Due Process (14th Amendment) Constitutional guarantee of fairness.  Student informed of violations Opportunity to tell student’s story Before suspension Investigation that factors student’s story A decision supported by evidence Witnesses, statements, video, photos Laws, policies, and procedures followed Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Possible Consequences 4/20/2017 Possible Consequences Reduce suspension and return to home school Return to home school after 10 suspension days Extend suspension (5, 10, 15); return to home school Short-term expulsion from home school (1Q, 2Q, 3Q, 4Q); place at Alt Ed; review optional Short-term expulsion; no ed services Long-term expulsion from home school; place Alt Ed through graduation Permanent expulsion; no ed services Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

4/20/2017 Consequence Criteria Age—older = more accountable Violation type—dangerous? Remorse—sorry for violation? Resolve—committed to follow rules? Discipline history—patterns? Attendance—satisfactory? Grades—making effort to learn? Credits—on track to graduate? Intervention—contract for reduced suspension? School System Policy—non-negotiable? Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Greeting and Introduction 4/20/2017 Greeting and Introduction Greet student, family, and advocates Assign seating Demonstrate mutual respect Explain Procedures Audio recording Check that all are ready to begin Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Hearing Official introduction Student response to violation (s) 4/20/2017 Hearing Official introduction Minutes or audio recording Hearing officer, school system, date, purpose, student name, violation (s), participants, audio recording notification Student response to violation (s) Presentation of administrator’s evidence Presentation of student evidence Decision about violation (s) Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Discussion Discipline history Attendance Grades Credits Remorse 4/20/2017 Discussion Discipline history Attendance Grades Credits On track to graduate? Remorse Resolve Interventions Letters of apology, mediation, mentoring, counseling, physician referral, disability assessment, contract Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Closure Summarize hearing decision Summarize consequence and placement 4/20/2017 Closure Summarize hearing decision Summarize consequence and placement Review reentry/enrollment date and conditions Ask each participant for closing comments End audio recording or minutes Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Documentation Complete administrative report Send letter to parent 4/20/2017 Documentation Complete administrative report hearing, decision, discussion, consequence, placement, rationale, and reentry conditions Send letter to parent hearing decision, consequence, and placement Reentry Contract Conditions for reentry to school Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Elementary Age Students 4/20/2017 Elementary Age Students Frequently reduced to less than 10 days Include familiar staff from school Allow administrator to suggest tone Developmentally appropriate communication Empower parents to help communicate Include administrator in reentry conditions Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Special Ed 10 removal days & FAPE Manifestation mtg summaries required 4/20/2017 Special Ed 10 removal days & FAPE Manifestation mtg summaries required “Yes-manifestation” = no conference; end susp. Manifestation mtg summary cites IAES Home School Alternative Ed Other Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Reportable Offenses Cite COMAR Reg 7-303 Case review, not suspension 4/20/2017 Reportable Offenses Cite COMAR Reg 7-303 Case review, not suspension 7-303 = not subject to the appeal rules of suspension under 7-305 Administrative placement can be made based on charge prior to legal hearing Charge linked to school with potential for danger or disruption Documentation not part of student record Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Suspension Reductions 4/20/2017 Suspension Reductions Substance Abuse Counseling Tobacco Education Classes Fire Marshall Classes Sexting Education Counseling Bus Safety Counseling Sensitivity Counseling Peaceful Conflict Resolution Counseling Anger Management Counseling Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Maryland Association of School Discipline Hearing Officers 4/20/2017 Maryland Association of School Discipline Hearing Officers MASDHO PPWs are encouraged to join http://hcps.org/masdho Buzz Williams buzz.williams@hcps.org

Question & Answer Conclusion