School boards may expel a student from all schools of the board following a hearing, upon the recommendation of a principal and a supervisory officer. The proposed legislation, if approved, would expand this authority, allowing principals to expel students for up to one year, and teachers to suspend students for up to one day. The extended authority would be phased-in to ensure that principals and teachers have received advance training on how to use this new authority. Plans call for principals to have authority to expel students by next winter and for teachers to have the authority to suspend students by September 2001. This approach also provides for meaningful opportunities for consultation, where necessary.
Every student deserves a fair chance to explain their behaviour before facing expulsion.
Currently, if a parent feels their child has been unfairly suspended, there are provisions in the Education Act that allow for an appeal of a suspension. The Act does not currently include an appeal process for expelled students. The proposed legislation would give parents and guardians the right to appeal an expulsion, as well as a suspension lasting between two and the maximum 20 days. Strict discipline schooling programs for expelled students Students who have been expelled from regular classes still need an education. To help these students continue their education, strict discipline schooling programs would be established under the proposed legislation.