POLICY MANUAL - Calhoun County Schools

considered and recommended by the Superintendent in appropriate cases even when theprincipal has requested consideration of Alternative School in lieu of expulsion.Students are assigned to the Alternative School for a specified length of time, which is subject toincrease dependent upon the student's successful compliance with the Alternative Schoolprogram, including regular attendance and acceptable behavior and work performance. Failureand/or unwillingness to comply with requirements of the Alternative School program may resultin a recommendation for expulsion from Calhoun County Schools. If a student withdraws fromCalhoun County Schools during a pending Alternative School recommendation or assignment,the pending matter must be addressed and appropriate Alternative School time must be servedupon the student’s return to the school system. During assignment to Alternative School,students are not permitted to be present on the regular school campus or at school-sponsoredactivities.Students assigned to the Alternative School receive counseling which stresses nonviolentconflict resolution, responsibility, problem solving, and other issues which affect the students'ability to function in the regular school environment.During assignment to the Alternative School students shall remain subject to the Code ofStudent Conduct and such other additional requirements and rules of student conduct as theSuperintendent may approve to ensure safety and order in keeping with the disciplinary functionof the Alternative School program. Such additional rules may include, but are not limited to thefollowing:• Modifications to the grooming and dress code as deemed appropriate to ensure safetyand to prevent hair and dress styles that are disruptive or tend to draw undue attentionto individual students.• Restrictions on the possession of book bags and purses.• Regular student searches, including the use of metal detectors.• The prohibition of cell phones.• Such other rules as may be conducive to a highly controlled and structured disciplinaryenvironment.Students served under IDEA and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act may beassigned to the Alternative School in accordance with the DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURESFOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES mandated by the Board.ExpulsionExpulsion is the permanent or long-term removal of a student from school in the CalhounCounty School System for violation of school rules or regulations. In the case of offenseswarranting such action, the principal has the responsibility to recommend student expulsion tothe Superintendent in accordance with Board policy.If a student is suspended and recommended for expulsion, the local school principal shallnotify, in writing, with a copy to the Superintendent, the student and parent or legal guardian ofthe action taken and the additional action recommended and the cause(s) for such action andrecommendation. Upon receipt of such recommendation, the Superintendent shall promptlynotify in writing the student and parent or guardian of the time and place for the hearing and theprocess to be followed in considering the recommendation for expulsion. The hearing relative toexpulsion, as well as all preliminary steps concerning the hearing and recommendation, shallfull comply with applicable due process criteria.