79-265. Principal; suspend student; grounds; procedure; written statement; conference; guidelines for completion of classwork.

(1) The principal may deny any student the right to attend school or to take part in any school function for a period of up to five school days on the following grounds:

(a) Conduct constituting grounds for expulsion as set out in the Student Discipline Act; or

(b) Any other violation of rules and standards of behavior adopted under the act.

(2) Such short-term suspension shall be made only after the principal has made an investigation of the alleged conduct or violation and has determined that such suspension is necessary to help any student, to further school purposes, or to prevent an interference with school purposes.

(3) Before such short-term suspension takes effect, the student shall be given oral or written notice of the charges against him or her, an explanation of the evidence the authorities have, and an opportunity to present his or her version.

(4) Within twenty-four hours or such additional time as is reasonably necessary following such suspension, the principal shall send a written statement to the student and his or her parent or guardian describing the student's conduct, misconduct, or violation of the rule or standard and the reasons for the action taken. The principal shall make a reasonable effort to hold a conference with the parent or guardian before or at the time the student returns to school.

(5) Any student who is suspended pursuant to this section may be given an opportunity to complete any classwork, including, but not limited to, examinations, missed during the period of suspension. Each public school district shall develop and adopt guidelines stating the criteria school officials shall use in determining whether and to what extent such opportunity for completion will be granted to suspended students. The guidelines shall be provided to the student and parent or guardian at the time of suspension.

Source

Annotations

The statutory procedures to be followed in establishing and promulgating rules and standards of student conduct and in suspending students for violation of such rules embody all due process requirements set out in Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565 (1975). Walker v. Bradley, 211 Neb. 873, 320 N.W.2d 900 (1982).