CLEARFIELD – On Monday night, the Clearfield Area School District Board of Directors voted unanimously in favor of a student expulsion for the remainder of the semester.
Following the meeting, board President Dave Glass declined to further detail the reason for the student’s discipline in this matter. He said he/she violated “Board Policy 218” and “22 PA Code” for student discipline.
Glass said that the student’s expulsion would be effective from Sept. 20 through Jan. 21, 2011. He said it could be extended further if school is cancelled due to inclement weather during the aforementioned time frame.
While complying to his/her suspension, the student will not be permitted on school property. In addition, the student is prohibited from being in attendance at any school events or activities, Glass said.
Glass addressed that board member Mary Anne Jackson appeared “puzzled” at the time of the vote. She explained that it was difficult to vote in favor or against something without sufficient information. Glass explained that the board typically doesn’t handle student disciplinary action in this manner.
According to district policy, any removal of a student from school for longer than 10 days is considered an expulsion. But student expulsion can be for a fixed time frame, such as a semester or year. They can also be permanent.
A school must hold a “formal hearing” before any student can be expelled. The “formal hearing” must be held before the school board; it can also be held before a committee or hearing officer appointed by the board.
If the student’s case is heard before an alternative entity, the full school board is required to vote on the recommendation presented to them. A majority vote by the entire school board is then required to approve a student expulsion.
However, in this case, Board Solicitor Aimee Willett indicated that the student’s parent(s) agreed with the expulsion. She said it resulted in a “waiver” of the “formal hearing.”