Columbia Public School board members address ‘confusing’ suspension policy

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Board of Education is discussing possible ways to address inconsistencies in the district's "confusing" Student Suspension and Expulsion Policy.

During Monday night's policy committee meeting, members of the committee noted that the district's current policy, which was adopted in 1996 but was last revised in 2003, needs to be streamlined. Board member Paul Harper said he's been told by multiple parents in the district that the policy is confusing and lacks readability.

The policy outlines different lengths of suspension and appeal processes. There wasn't one specific portion of the policy that was outlined as confusing, Harper stated parents and school officials were having issues understanding all of the four-page policy.

Harper and Board member April Ferrao also noted some attorneys of parents have poked holes in the policy, stating it isn't clear.

According to the policy, parents must be told immediately why their child is being suspended. Parents also must be given the opportunity for a conference in which they can involve others, if they believe they can help contribute to an understanding of the incident.

A long appeal process is in place for principal suspensions, which last 10 or fewer days.

The policy states students must first make an appeal to a "building administrator," who will have five business days to provide a response. If the appeal isn't resolved in that step, the student then can make an appeal to the building principal, who will also have five days to respond.

The third step states students can bring the written appeal, along with a copy of their previous appeal to the executive director. If left unresolved, students can bring all previous requests and replies to the chiefs school officer. The final step allows students to present the appeal to the superintendent, along with all other appeals and replies. All positions will have five days to provide a response.

The decision of the superintendent is final, according to the policy.

Another type of suspension with its own steps to appeal are suspensions made by the superintendent, may immediately suspend the student for up to 180 days.

The report states only the Board has the ability to expel a student, or suspend them for more than 180 days. The policy states the superintendent must tell the student either in writing or verbally why they're being suspended and can recommend an expulsion to the school board.

If the student is expelled, they can later apply to the Board of Education for re-admission, according to the policy.

Harper said the committee is focused on ensuring parents can understand the process, and making sure the policy is clear.

"This is an issue I've heard since before I came onto the board, it's an issue that other board members have heard before they came onto the board...heard or experienced even," Harper said. "This is an issue that other board members who are no longer on the board have raised in the past so this is not a new issue."

The committee voted Monday night to have the policy looked at by school administrators.

Harper said the discussion will be brought back during the May policy meeting. He said the Board will decide whether or not to send it back to administration, or move it to the board's meeting in June.

View the school district's discipline policy below: