Source: https://dokumentix.com/expulsion-appeal-handbook.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 19:57:36+00:00

Document:
Sep 30, 2016 - Happy birthday, Regina, my awesome sister! What a gift ... favorite season, when life seemed to blossom almost overnight after a good drenching rainstorm. ...... âHe,â a good-looking brunette nurse named Maritza corrected.
SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION. Definitions. For the purposes of this policy: â¢. School property is defined as all land within the perimeter of the school site and.
If the charges are more likely than not supported, the Board shall discuss whether an expulsion shall be for a specified period of time or for an indefinite period.
When May an Appeal Be Filed with the County Board of Education?
What if the Appeal is Late?
What Must Be Included in the Expulsion Appeal?
Who is Responsible to File the Transcript and Supporting Records of the Original Expulsion Process?
in “italics.” These issues have been found confusing to parents filing past appeals.
The El Dorado County Board of Education is committed to an objective review and deliberation of appeals of students expelled from local school districts. This information must be reviewed in conjunction with the laws on student discipline and expulsion appeals within the California Education Code, Sections 48900-48924. You must also review the school district’s policies and administrative procedures for suspension and expulsion. Remember, you are entitled to review the record of the school district’s process hearing and supporting records or documents. You have the right to consult with and engage the services of an advocate or an attorney.
is not a new hearing to consider evidence about whether the pupil should have been expelled. The County Board will “hear” evidence only in unusual circumstances. The purpose of the appeal meeting is to listen to argument as to whether the local school district procedures were proper.
The County Board of Education does not have any authority to agree or disagree with the local school district governing board’s decision to expel or to modify the expulsion on the basis that the penalty was too harsh for the misconduct.
A decision to overturn the expulsion and return the pupil to the local school district does not order attendance at the former school or at any particular school. The local school district has authority to determine attendance within district programs.
The County Board of Education decision will address only expulsion issues. It will not review or order any change in the pupil’s suspension pending expulsion.
“Parent” also includes guardian or legal counsel on behalf of the Parent. The pupil may also file an appeal independently of his/her Parents.
The thirty (30) day period normally starts on the first day after the date the school district’s governing board takes action even if notice of the decision is not mailed to the Parent immediately. The appeal must be actually received within the thirty (30) days, not just mailed. If the deadline is on a Saturday, Sunday or County Office holiday, the appeal may be filed on the next business day.
Only the governing board of a school district may expel a pupil. The principal of the pupil’s school, or the superintendent of the school district may only recommend the expulsion to the governing board. A hearing officer or an administrative panel may conduct the expulsion hearing, develop findings of fact, and make a recommendation to the governing board. However, there is no expulsion until the school district’s board takes formal action to expel.
An expulsion or a suspended expulsion (where the pupil is returned to school with conditions of probation) may be appealed. The thirty (30) day time line applies from the initial suspended expulsion decision, not at a later date if the pupil is expelled from violating probation.
What if the Appeal is Late? Failure to appeal within the required time will result in denial of your appeal unless you can show “good cause for the late appeal.” The explanation of “good cause” must be filed with the appeal. An example of “good cause” would be where the parent appeal is mailed timely, but the parent proves that document was lost by the U.S. mail.
Questions Regarding Filing an Appeal A Parent considering whether to file an expulsion appeal with the County Board of Education and/or having any questions should contact by telephone, facsimile or mail: Kimberly Stewart Administrative Assistant El Dorado County Office of Education 6767 Green Valley Road Placerville, CA 95667 Phone: (530) 295-2235 Fax: (530) 642-1832 The El Dorado County Office of Education staff will answer questions and clarify the procedures outlined in this Handbook. The staff will also contact the administration of the local school district which implemented the expulsion in order to coordinate the processing of the appeal.
What Must be Included in the Expulsion Appeal? The written notice of appeal must be filed on the “Expulsion Appeal Request for Hearing” form included within this Handbook.
At the same time the Parent files the appeal with the County Board of Education, he/she must submit to the expelling school district a written request for a copy of the written transcript of the expulsion hearing and all supporting documents or records. A “REQUEST FOR TRANSCRIPT AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS” form is provided at the back of this Handbook (Addendum C).
The Parent shall file a copy of the request for transcript with the County Board of Education at the time of filing the appeal.
Where the Parent certifies to the school district that he/she cannot reasonably afford the cost of preparing the transcript because of limited income or exceptional necessary expenses, or both. A form, “CERTIFICATION OF INABILITY TO AFFORD COST OF TRNSCRIPT,” is provided at the back of this Handbook (Addendum D).
In a case where the County Board reverses the decision of the school district governing board, the County Board shall require that the school district governing board reimburse a Parent who has paid for the cost of preparing the transcript and supporting documents or records.
The school district shall prepare two copies of the transcript, supporting documents, and records following receipt of the Parent’s written request. The school district shall mail one copy of these documents directly to the County Board of Education with a second copy mailed to the Parent.
[Special Education Records] If the expelled pupil was enrolled in special education (or was afforded the rights of a special education student prior to expulsion), the school district must identify substantiation in the hearing record (or provide additional documentation) that the legally required procedures were completed prior to commencing the expulsion hearing (e.g., compliance with Education Code § 48915.5 and related federal law [34 CFR 300.520 – 300.524]).
The County Board will hold a hearing within twenty (20) school days following receipt of the transcript and supporting documents unless the Parent or the district requests a postponement.
Either the Parent or the local school district may request a postponement by submitting a written request, including the reason, to the County Office of Education at least five (5) calendar days prior to the hearing. The request shall be acted upon by the County Superintendent of Schools within two (2) days after determining whether the request is based upon good cause. Any request for postponement made less than five (5) calendar days prior to the hearing will be considered by the Board of Education at the hearing. The request will be granted only upon a finding that a compelling reason or an emergency exists.
place of the hearing. The County Board of Education holds regular meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado County Office of Education Board Room, 6767 Green Valley Road, Placerville. Expulsion appeals are normally scheduled to commence between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. The County Board of Education may be required to schedule a special meeting on a different date to hear the appeal depending upon its regular business.
The hearing will be held in closed session unless the Parent has requested public session in writing filed with the County Office of Education at least five (5) calendar days prior to the hearing date.
Filing Written Arguments Prior to Hearing The Parent or a representative may file a written argument or an appeal brief with the County Board of Education. Any written argument must be filed at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the date set for the hearing before the County Board. The Parent must send or deliver a copy of the argument to the school district at the same time. The school district also has the right to submit a written argument, or a reply brief. The district’s initial argument must be filed at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the hearing date. If the Parent files a written argument, the district’s response, if any, shall be filed not less than five (5) days prior to the date of the hearing. The district shall also provide the Parent with a copy of its reply argument by personal service or by mailing not later than the date upon which the written argument and/or district’s reply argument or brief is filed.
Scope and Limitations of the Hearing The County Board of Education decides an appeal after: (1) reviewing the expulsion record— the transcript and documents considered at the original expulsion hearing; (2) considering the issues raised by the Parent in the appeal as well as issues apparent from the record itself and the school district’s arguments; and (3) determining which issues it has authority under law to address. Please keep in mind that the County Board’s charge is to determine if the pupil’s due process rights were violated in a manner which resulted in the pupil’s receiving an unfair hearing. It is not the charge of the County Board to agree or disagree with the school district governing board’s decision to expel the pupil, but to ensure that procedures were followed and that a fair hearing was conducted. A.
Examples of “evidence” which may not be raised for the first time: Additional information about the facts surrounding the pupil’s misconduct; the pupil’s prior good behavior; or incidents occurring during the district’s investigation of the misconduct if the information was known or available prior to the original expulsion hearing. The evidence should have been offered at that hearing rather than a hearing with the County Board.
stolen during the investigation of the incident and during his testimony at the expulsion hearing. (See testimony, page 112, and witness statement, page 143 of the hearing transcript.) No other non-hearsay evidence exists in the record to support the finding of fact that he participated in the theft.” All the evidence being referred to in this statement was already presented at the expulsion hearing.
[Exception to Considering New Evidence.] There is one (1) very limited exception to the County Board not considering new evidence. If the Parent proposes to offer new evidence, the County Board will either allow an explanation of what the new evidence is and what issue it relates to [called an “offer of proof”] or will review the document in question.
The evidence, if received, would be a significant factor in determining the outcome of an issue in the case over which the County Board has jurisdiction to decide [Education Code § 48922].
In the event that the County Board determines it is neither appropriate to remand the matter to the school district governing board for reconsideration (because the issue is one which the school district could not impartially decide, e.g., “an administrator allegedly told the Parents not to attend the expulsion hearing because it would not make any difference”) or to conduct a new de novo hearing (e.g., because the student’s misconduct is not the issue on appeal), the County Board members may vote to allow new “sworn evidence” or documents limited to the issue raised. If the taking of new evidence at the same meeting would be prejudicial to the school district (e.g., because a rebuttal witness is not present at the hearing), the County Board may recess the hearing to a future date to receive evidence relevant to the issue raised.
Legal Issues Which May Be Considered The County Board of Education’s review of the case shall be limited to the following four questions. While these questions are phrased in “legal terminology” [based upon Code of Civil Procedure §§ 1094.5(b) and (c)], there are many factual issues which fall within these questions.
Was the offense for which the pupil was expelled one of the “grounds” for expulsion authorized by state law or local board rule? A pupil may not be expelled unless the offense is a violation of the California Education Code or school rules adopted under Education Code § 35291.5.
If the expulsion was based on a local board rule, was the rule a reasonable and valid one and not inconsistent with state law?
Did the situation involve conduct related to a school activity or to school attendance?
Was the expulsion hearing commenced and a final decision issued within the time limits prescribed by law?
Was there a pre-expulsion hearing of the individual education program (IEP) team prior to the expulsion hearing [E.C. § 48915.5(a)]?
Was the Parent invited to attend the IEP team meeting [E.C. § 48915.5(d)] forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting?
1. Misconduct was not caused by a manifestation of the pupil’s handicap. 2. Pupil was appropriately placed at the time the misconduct occurred [E.C. § 48915.5(h)]. 3. Was the suspension pending the expulsion hearing for more than ten (10) days without either your agreement or order by court [E.C. § 48911(a) through (h) and 48912(a)]? NOTE: The school district does not have jurisdiction to expel a special education student unless the special education meetings and procedures established by law preceding expulsion have been completed.
Was the pupil denied the right to be represented by an advocate or by legal counsel?
Was the pupil prohibited from introducing testimony of witnesses on his/her behalf?
Was the evidence submitted in support of the expulsion the kind of evidence upon which reasonable persons are accustomed to rely in conduct of serious affairs?
Was there a failure to introduce any evidence to support the decision to expel?
Was the pupil or the pupil’s representative, if any, given an opportunity to confront and question any witnesses who testified at the hearing except as provided in Education Code § 48918(f)?
Was the Parent adequately advised of his/her rights to fully participate in the hearing?
Governing board issues expulsion decision with no date set to consider readmission of the pupil [E.C.§ 48916(a)].
John J. brought a knife to school on 9/12/00. John took the knife out of his backpack and showed it to two students during third period class.
(Not enough detail) John J. violated Education Code § 48900(b) by bringing a dangerous weapon to school.
The pupil has previously been warned and later suspended on three different occasions for using profanity toward his teacher in the classroom. These corrections have failed to curb his defiance of valid authority and disruption of the class [E.C. §§ 48900(k) and 48915(e)(1)].
Due to the nature of the violation [misconduct], the presence of the pupil causes a continuing danger to the physical safety of the pupil or others.
practice, it is very difficult to determine whether the finding is justified because it is based upon conclusion and prediction rather than facts.
Board would be smaller. As an example, the County Board might return a case where the school board issued the (wrong) finding listed above and direct the school board to correct the finding. The rationale is that the error by the school board is a technical one and the evidence supports an expulsion if the technical error is corrected.
W hether there is relevant and m aterial evidence w hich, in the exercise of reasonable diligence, could not have been produced or w hich w as im properly excluded at the hearing before the governing board (or the adm inistrative panel)?
See the discussion about offering new evidence at Pg. 8, Paragraph A.
Conducting the Appeal Hearing A.
Expulsion appeals are heard by the County Board in closed session, unless the Parent requests, in writing, an open session hearing. In closed session, only the Parents, any representative, the pupil and representatives of the local school district are permitted in the room with County Board members, County Board legal counsel, and the secretary and recorder to the County Board. In public session, any member of the public may attend the hearing. B.
1. Whether the governing board acted without or in excess of its jurisdiction? 2. Whether there was fair hearing by the school district?
4. Whether there is relevant and material evidence, which, in the exercise of reasonable diligence, could not have been produced or which was improperly excluded at the hearing before the governing board? The Parent need not be concerned about making a polished presentation, but it is important to prepare the presentation in advance. Having notes or a prepared script may be of great help. C.
During and after each presentation, members of the County Board of Education may ask questions of the Parent and of the school district’s representative(s). County Board members may raise issues during the hearing based upon their own review of the hearing record. The appeal decision may be based upon these issues even if they are not raised by the Parent. You and the school district representative should review the entire hearing record prior to attending the hearing and be prepared to discuss any issue raised at the appeal. D.
The County Board may not substitute its judgment for the judgment of the school district governing board.
The County Board may not reverse a school district governing board’s decision because of technical inadequacies in the hearing process unless it first determines that the error was prejudicial.
The County Board may not consider evidence other than that contained in the record of the proceedings of the school district governing board except as noted in these rules.
the school board to expunge the record of the pupil and the records of the district of any references to the expulsion action and the expulsion shall be deemed not to have occurred. Although the County Board must render a written decision within three (3) school days of the hearing, it usually renders its verbal decision on the day of the hearing. The Parent and the governing board of the school district will be notified of the rationale and decision of the County Board, in writing, either by personal service or by certified mail. The order shall become final when rendered. F.
A final decision by the County Board of Education may be appealed to the Superior Court.
Expulsion Appeal The County Board of Education recognizes that student discipline is primarily the prerogative of the local district. Standards of behavior acceptable to the district and procedures to assure that the standards are observed are essential to an effective school climate. The County Board of Education also recognizes, however, that the rights to due process and the rights to a fair and just resolution of behavior issues are supported through the appeal process. Expulsion is the most severe form of discipline which a local district may invoke. The County Board of Education is vested with the responsibility of serving as the final appeal body in such cases. The hearing of expulsion appeals is intended to safeguard the rights of the student(s) and the rights of the district. All expulsion appeals shall be conducted in accordance with Education Code, Federal Law, Federal Regulations and in accordance with administrative regulations. The County Superintendent of Schools is charged with the development of regulations which assures that expulsion appeals are conducted in a timely and equitable manner.
E. C. § 48900 et seq.
STATEMENT OF BASIS FOR THE APPEAL The County Board’s review of the District’s decision is limited to the following issues: 1) whether the District Board acted without or in excess of its jurisdiction; 2) whether there was a fair hearing before the District Board; 3) whether there was a prejudicial abuse of discretion; 4) whether there is relevant and material evidence which, in the exercise of reasonable diligence, could not have been produced or which was improperly excluded at the hearing before the governing board. (See Education Code Section 48922.) Please check one or more of the following items and describe how such item(s) apply to your case. 1.
(Please use another sheet of paper for additional comments, if necessary. Attach documentation, if any.) Expulsion hearings are closed to the public unless you request a session open to the public. I hereby certify that I requested in writing that the District Superintendent prepare a record of the expulsion hearing on ____________________. A copy of my request is attached. I understand that this form must be filed with the El Dorado County Board of Education within 30 days from the date the District Board voted to expel my student.
That I be informed immediately when these documents are ready. I will then arrange for them to be picked up at your office, duplicated, and delivered to the El Dorado County Board of Education office within one(1) working day of their availability from your office.

References: § 48915
 § 48922
 § 35291
 § 48915
 § 48915
 § 48915
 § 48911
 § 48918
 § 48900
 § 48900