2013-2014 Parent/Student Handbook - Asbury Park School District

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Discipline
Students who do not obey the reasonable rules of the school or who disrupt the school are subject to
disciplinary action, including suspension and expulsion from school. Only the Asbury Park Board of Education
may expel a student from school. Parents have the right to be notified immediately if their child has been
suspended from school.
The Asbury Park Board of Education must be notified of the Principal’s decision to suspend a student
before the next regular meeting of the board. Suspension of the student may not extend beyond the
following board meeting unless the board continues the suspension.
When a student is suspended for ten days or less, parents have the right to an informal hearing. The
parents and their child are informed of the charges leading to the suspension and have an opportunity
to present a defense.
When a student is suspended for more than ten days or is expelled, parents have the right to both the
informal hearing and a full Due Process Hearing. During the full Due Process Hearing, the parents and
their child have the right to the following: notification of the charges, names of witnesses, copies of
statements of witnesses, the opportunity for the student to speak in his or her defense, the
opportunity to cross examine witnesses, and the opportunity to be represented by counsel.
Parents of classified students have rights concerning the suspension or expulsion of their children from
school. If the child study team decides there is a relationship between the child’s disability and the
disruptive behavior, the student may not be expelled.
Parents must be notified of any change in the classified child’s educational program (including
suspension) and/or their right to appeal the decision to an independent hearing officer. Pending the
parents’ appeal, no program change can be made, unless the student is a danger to himself/herself or
to others.
Parents have the right to appeal the Board of Education suspension or expulsion of their disabled child
to the New Jersey Commissioner of Education. Appeal from a decision of the Commissioner is made to
the State Board of Education. Decisions of the State Board may be appealed to the courts.
Student Vandalism
New Jersey State Law holds parents responsible for damage of school property caused by their children.
Parents must pay the Asbury Park Board of Education for the damaged property and any court costs.
Student Searches
The New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that school officials have the right to search students or their lockers
if they have reasonable grounds to believe a student has evidence of illegal activity or activity that would
interfere with school order. School officials do not need a warrant to search school lockers, but they must
inform students at least once a year that such searches might occur.