RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE:

The Cobb County School District (District) is dedicated to sound discipline practices in the continuing effort to provide students in the District an effective and safe learning environment, to promote learning, and to encourage maturity during the school day as well as during all school-related activities. In order to maintain a safe and orderly environment, a student may be subject to Short-Term Suspension for the violation of school rules and/or the Rules of the District.

RULE:

A. DEFINITION:
    The suspension of a student from school is considered to be a Short-Term Suspension if

    the suspension is not more than ten (10) consecutive school days. See Administrative

    Rule JKDB (Student Conduct: Disciplinary Hearings: Long-Term Suspension/Expulsion)

    for out-of-school suspensions of more than 10 school days.

B. PROCEDURES:
    The Principal or designee may suspend students from school for a period of not more

    than ten (10) consecutive school days.

    1. Prior to Suspension:

        The Principal or designee shall afford the student his/her due process by following the 

        procedures listed below:
        a. The student shall be given oral or written notice of the charges against him; 
        b. If the student denies the charges, he/she shall be given:

            (1) An explanation of the evidence the school authorities have; and

            (2) An opportunity to present his/her side of the story.
    2. If a student poses a continuing danger to persons or property or an ongoing threat of

        disrupting the academic process, he/she may need to be removed immediately from

        school premises without being afforded the notice and opportunity to respond as

        described above. In such cases, the notice and opportunity to respond shall be

        provided:

        a. As soon as possible; and

        b. Prior to the administration’s finalization of the student’s suspension

            recommendation.
    3. The student's parent/guardian shall be notified of the suspension as soon as
        possible. This notification should be confirmed in writing no later than the day after
        the suspension begins. This notification shall contain the charges and the number of
        days and dates of the suspension. The written notification shall be delivered to the
        student's parent/guardian either in person or by first class mail to the last known
        address of the parent/guardian. If notification is delivered in person, a written
        confirmation of delivery shall be obtained.
    5. If less than the number of suspended days remain in the complete grading period, the
        suspension will continue into the next regular school year or complete grading period.
    6. Even though there are no appeal rights guaranteed by law for students on short-term
        suspension, parent/guardian may call the Principal to discuss their child's discipline.

        Following the decision of the Principal, the student's parent/guardian may contact the

        Office of Student Discipline to confirm the school’s interpretation of the Code of

        Conduct or contact the Area Assistant Superintendent if there is a concern regarding

        school administrative action.

C. ACTIVITIES WHILE UNDER SHORT-TERM SUSPENSION:
    1. Participation:

        a. Students under Short-Term Suspension shall not participate in or attend school
            activities on or off campus or be present on any other Cobb County school campus.
        b. When short-term suspension carries over the summer months, permission to
            participate in school-sponsored summer activities is at the discretion of the

            Principal unless the activity is a Georgia High School Association (GHSA) sanctioned

            event in which case GHSA by-laws apply. Students violating this prohibition

            are subject to additional penalties.
    2. Class Work Credit:

        Students under a short-term suspension shall be allowed to receive credit for class
        work missed during the time of suspension, but for no more than a total of thirty (30)
        school days during a school year. A student will earn a grade of "0" on graded class
        work missed beyond the thirty (30) school days.
    3. Assignments:

        a. It will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian to pick up the work from the

            school, complete the work during the suspension and return it to the teachers on

            the first day the student returns to school following a suspension.           

        b. If a parent/guardian fails to pick up work during a suspension that has been

            prepared by the student’s teacher(s), the student may forfeit his/her right to

            make–up work under this Rule during additional suspensions during the school

            year.
    4. Final Examinations/Long-Term Assignments:

        a. A student may take final examinations and turn in long-term assignments assigned
            before the suspension or expulsion that are due during the suspension or expulsion.
        b. Long-term assignments must be turned in the day the student returns from the
            suspension or expulsion.

        c. The Principal shall provide for the student’s taking of final examinations. The

            examinations will occur either at the given time or through some special

            arrangement at the discretion of the Principal or designee.

D. SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS:
    Nothing in this Rule shall be interpreted to infringe on any right provided to students by

    the federal Individuals with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act,

    or the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

Adopted: 7/22/82
Reclassified an Administrative Rule: 9/1/04
Revised: 4/13/83; 8/8/84; 6/28/90; 5/27/92; 7/23/92; 1/13/93; 6/27/96; 5/28/98; 6/22/00; 9/18/00; 6/27/02; 10/24/02; 4/22/04; 12/9/04; 7/1/06; 8/13/08