Opinion ID: 313507
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: temporary suspension without a prior hearing

Text: 23 Without hearings, the student plaintiffs were suspended for periods ranging from six school days to six weeks. They contend that they could not constitutionally be suspended from classes without some type of hearing. See Pervis v. LaMarque Independent School District, 466 F.2d 1054 (5th Cir. 1972); Williams v. Dade County School Board, 441 F.2d 299 (5th Cir. 1971); cf. Goldberg v. Kelly, 397 U.S. 254, 90 S.Ct. 1011, 25 L.Ed.2d 287 (1970). See also Stricklin v. Regents of the University of Wisconsin, 297 F.Supp. 416 (W.D.Wis.1969). 24 The requirement of a prior hearing will depend primarily on the nature of the penalty imposed, the extent to which the underlying facts are in dispute, and the need for swift action to preserve order and discipline within the school. The courts have disallowed expulsions and long-term suspensions unaccompanied by hearings which comport with the standards of due process of law. Pervis, supra; Williams, supra; Wasson v. Trowbridge, 382 F.2d 807 (2d Cir. 1967); Woods v. Wright, 334 F.2d 369 (5th Cir. 1964); Dixon v. Alabama State Board of Education, 294 F.2d 150 (5th Cir. 1961). But brief suspensions without a hearing have been more readily tolerated. Linwood v. Board of Education of City of Peoria, 463 F.2d 763 (7th Cir. 1972); Dunn v. Tyler Independent School Dist., 460 F.2d 137 (5th Cir. 1972), and cases cited therein at 145. 25 Brief suspensions are often justified by the interest of school officials in maintaining an atmosphere conducive to learning. The injury caused to assaultive and disruptive students by brief suspensions is minimal compared to the danger posed to the normal functioning of an educational institution by the continued presence of such students. Linwood, supra; Dunn, supra. 26 Plaintiffs in the present case have taken the position that no student may be suspended for any period of time without a prior hearing. We reject that as a rule of law. Whether the suspensions handed out to Lockridge or the Brown children were of such duration that a due process hearing was required at some point is a question not before us, the parties having agreed to withdraw this problem of line drawing from the court's consideration. We therefore find no error in the district court's refusal to find that plaintiffs' constitutional rights were violated in this regard. 27