1. 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

2. 4/20/2017
Purpose
To provide an overview of school disciplinary hearing procedures.
Buzz Williams

3. Maryland has 24 school systems
4/20/2017
Maryland has 24 school systems
…and 24 unique procedures for conducting school discipline hearings.
Buzz Williams

4. 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

5. Continuum of Approaches
4/20/2017
Continuum of Approaches
Counseling
Courtroom
Buzz Williams

6. Common Components Case Preparation Introduction Hearing Discussion
4/20/2017
Common Components
Case Preparation
Introduction
Hearing
Discussion
Disposition
Closure
Documentation
Buzz Williams

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Hearing Official introduction Student response to violation (s)
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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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Maryland Association of School Discipline Hearing Officers
4/20/2017
Maryland Association of School Discipline Hearing Officers
MASDHO
PPWs are encouraged to join
Buzz Williams

21. Question & Answer
Conclusion