Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024
(a)General. Education is a statutory right, and students shall be afforded due process if they are to be excluded from school. In a case involving a possible expulsion, the student is entitled to a formal hearing.(b)Formal hearings. A formal hearing is required in all expulsion actions. This hearing may be held before the governing board or an authorized committee of the board, or a qualified hearing examiner appointed by the board. When a committee of the board or a hearing examiner conducts the hearing, a majority vote of the entire governing board is required to expel a student. The following due process requirements shall be observed with regard to the formal hearing:(1) Notification of the charges shall be sent to the student's parents or guardians by certified mail.(2) At least 3 days' notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given. A copy of the expulsion policy, notice that legal counsel may represent the student and hearing procedures shall be included with the hearing notice. A student may request the rescheduling of the hearing when the student demonstrates good cause for an extension.(3) The hearing shall be held in private unless the student or parent requests a public hearing.(4) The student may be represented by counsel, at the expense of the parents or guardians, and may have a parent or guardian attend the hearing.(5) The student has the right to be presented with the names of witnesses against the student, and copies of the statements and affidavits of those witnesses.(6) The student has the right to request that the witnesses appear in person and answer questions or be cross-examined.(7) The student has the right to testify and present witnesses on his own behalf.(8) A written or audio record shall be kept of the hearing. The student is entitled, at the student's expense, to a copy. A copy shall be provided at no cost to a student who is indigent.(9) The proceeding shall be held within 15 school days of the notification of charges, unless mutually agreed to by both parties. A hearing may be delayed for any of the following reasons, in which case the hearing shall be held as soon as reasonably possible: (i) Laboratory reports are needed from law enforcement agencies.(ii) Evaluations or other court or administrative proceedings are pending due to a student invoking his rights under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.A. §§ 1400-1482).(iii) In cases in juvenile or criminal court involving sexual assault or serious bodily injury, delay is necessary due to the condition or best interests of the victim.(10) Notice of a right to appeal the results of the hearing shall be provided to the student with the expulsion decision.(c)Informal hearings. The purpose of the informal hearing is to enable the student to meet with the appropriate school official to explain the circumstances surrounding the event for which the student is being suspended or to show why the student should not be suspended. (1) The informal hearing is held to bring forth all relevant information regarding the event for which the student may be suspended and for students, their parents or guardians and school officials to discuss ways by which future offenses might be avoided.(2) The following due process requirements shall be observed in regard to the informal hearing: (i) Notification of the reasons for the suspension shall be given in writing to the parents or guardians and to the student.(ii) Sufficient notice of the time and place of the informal hearing shall be given.(iii) A student has the right to question any witnesses present at the hearing.(iv) A student has the right to speak and produce witnesses on his own behalf.(v) The school entity shall offer to hold the informal hearing within the first 5 days of the suspension.The provisions of this § 12.8 amended through February 24, 1984, effective 2/18/1984, 14 Pa.B. 657; amended December 2, 2005, effective 12/3/2005, 35 Pa.B. 6510, 6658.The provisions of this § 12.8 amended under section 2603-B of the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P. S. § 26-2603-B).
This section cited in 22 Pa. Code § 12.6 (relating to exclusions from school); and 22 Pa. Code § 12.7 (relating to exclusion from classes-in-school suspension).