Expulsion & Suspension

Referral of Expelled Scholars

Per state mandate, within three (3) days after a scholar is expelled the District shall notify the appropriate county department of social services or county community mental health agency. Eighteen 18-year-olds, emancipated minors or a minor scholar’s Parent(s)/Guardian(s), shall be notified of the referral.

Reinstatement of Suspended & Expelled Scholars

Scholars placed on long-term suspension or expelled (for more than ten (10) school days) from any public school in Michigan for reasons described in this policy shall not be enrolled in any Grand Rapids Public School unless the scholar is eligible to return to school and the District approves. 

Reinstatement Following Violations other than State Law

Scholars suspended/expelled for more than ten (10) school days for any reason described in this policy, other than violations of state law, are eligible for reinstatement depending on their grade level and the duration of the suspension/expulsion. Procedures for reinstatement are as follows:

1. Conditions for reinstatement shall be identified at the scholar discipline hearing and a written copy mailed to the scholar and Parent(s)/Guardian(s). Conditions may include (but are not limited to):
   • Anger Management Program
   • Behavioral Contract
   • Community Service
   • Counseling or therapy with a licensed professional counselor or agency
   • Drug screening and/or Drug Counseling
   • Educational/Academic assignment
   • Mentor Service
   • Regular attendance and positive performance within an Interim Classroom
   • Restitution
2. Eligible scholars and a minor scholar’s Parent/Guardian shall complete a Request for School Reinstatement and file it with Community & Student Services when the:
   • Scholar’s suspension/expulsion period is near completion
   • Scholar has documentation showing that all of his/her identified conditions have been met 
3. For consideration of reinstatement, eligible scholars and a minor scholar’s Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are to participate in a Reinstatement Meeting at Community & Student Services. During this meeting, the Request for School Reinstatement is reviewed along with documentation confirming that all conditions have been met.
4. Consideration for a scholar’s reinstatement shall include the following factors:
   • Extent to which reinstatement would create a risk of harm to scholars or school personnel
   • Extent to which reinstatement would create individual or District liability
   • Age and maturity of the scholar
   • Scholar’s school record before the suspension/expulsion
   • Scholar’s attitude concerning the incident that gave rise to the suspension/expulsion
   • Scholar’s behavior after the suspension/expulsion and the prospects for remediation
   • Degree of cooperation and support scholar receives from his/her Parent/Guardian, including meeting the conditions of reinstatement. 

Reinstatement Following State Law Violations 

Scholars expelled for violations of state law, may be reinstated when they are eligible to return to school and the Board approves. Eligible scholars and the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of a minor scholar may file a Petition for Reinstatement with Community & Student Services. 

Scholars in Grades K-5 expelled for possession of a firearm or making a threat with a dangerous weapon (Public Act) may petition for reinstatement any time after sixty (60) school days, but shall not be reinstated before the expiration of ninety (90) school days of the date of expulsion. 

Scholars in Grades K-5 expelled for a reason other than possessing a firearm or threatening another person with a dangerous weapon may petition for reinstatement at any time, but shall not be reinstated before the expiration of ten (10) school days after the date of expulsion. 

Scholars in Grades 6-12 expelled for possession of a dangerous weapon; committing arson in a school building or on school grounds; or committing Criminal Sexual Conduct in a school building or on school grounds (Public Act), and physical assault of staff (PA) may petition for reinstatement any time after one-hundred-and-fifty (150) school days, but shall not be reinstated before the expiration of one-hundred-and-eighty (180) school days after the date of expulsion. 

Procedures for Reinstatement

1. Conditions for reinstatement shall be identified at the discipline hearing and a written copy mailed to the scholar and Parent/Guardian. Conditions are similar to those identified in item number 1 of reinstatement procedures following violations other than state law.
2. Eligible scholars and a minor scholar’s Parent/Guardian shall complete a Petition for School Reinstatement and file it with Community & Student Services when the:
   • Scholar has reached their identified eligibility date
   • Scholar has documentation showing that all of his/her identified conditions have been met 
3. Community & Student Services shall make reinstatement recommendations to the Superintendent (or designee), who shall then make appropriate recommendation to the Board.
4. Not later than ten (10) school days after the receipt of the petition, the Board President (or designee) shall appoint a committee to review the Petition for School Reinstatement and any supporting documentation confirming that all conditions have been met. The committee shall consist of:
   • Two (2) Board of Education members
   • One (1) school administrator
   • One (1) teacher.
   • One (1) parent(s)/guardians(s) of a scholar in the district
5. Not later than ten (10) school days after the committee is appointed, the committee shall make a written recommendation to the Board regarding the petition. 
   
   The recommendation shall consider all of the same factors listed in item number 4 in the previous column. The committee recommendation shall also contain an explanation regarding any additional conditions. 
   
   The recommendation shall be for:
   • Unconditional reinstatement
   • Conditional reinstatement
   • Against reinstatement 
6. Not later than the next regularly scheduled Board meeting after receiving the recommendation of the committee, the Board shall make a decision to unconditionally reinstate, conditionally reinstate, or deny reinstatement of the individual. The Board may require an agreement in writing upon a conditional reinstatement. Such conditions may include (but are not limited to) those listed in item number 1. The decision of the Board is final.