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Policy committee advances updated suspension, expulsion and student due-process policy to full board
Summary
The Danbury School District policy committee voted to send an updated CABE model policy on suspension, expulsion and student due process (Policy 5114) to the full Board of Education for a first read after committee members discussed restorative practices, equity language and alignment with Connecticut law.
The Danbury School District policy committee voted to recommend that the full Board of Education take a first read of the district’s revised Policy 5114 on suspension, expulsion and student due process.
The policy committee advanced the CABE (Connecticut Association of Boards of Education) model policy, which staff said “matches, exactly with rules and regulations and current Connecticut state statute,” and which committee members discussed for clarity on restorative practices, equity and how expulsions are described.
Committee members and administrators said the updated policy is more explicit than the prior version but does not change the legal circumstances under which expulsions may occur. Kelly (district staff presenting the policy) said, “This policy very clearly outlines that there are certain situations in which despite all of these proactive approaches, that discipline is appropriate and warranted, including and up to expulsions.” She also described the draft as bringing current regulations and guidelines into clearer language.
The committee reviewed specific sections: committee members asked whether restorative practices would be required and where training or implementation details would appear. Kelly said restorative practices are referenced in the policy objectives (noted under objective 4) and that more-detailed language about training and school-climate practices will appear in additional forthcoming policies. Committee members also pressed whether the policy changes the district’s existing practice; staff said the update makes expectations and the expulsion process clearer but does not alter when expulsions are legally appropriate.
After discussion, a committee member moved that Policy 5114 be recommended for a first read by the full board; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
The committee’s review also surfaced a question about the source of the model language. Kelly explained the draft is the CABE model and that the requirement for an expulsion policy stems from Connecticut state law.
The committee forwarded the policy to the full board for the standard first-read process; at the board meeting the full board will have the opportunity to discuss the recommendation before any final vote.
ACTIONS AT THIS MEETING: Motion to recommend Policy 5114 (suspension, expulsion and student due process) to the full Board of Education for a first read — moved by Al (committee member), seconded by Terry (committee member); outcome: carried by voice vote (ayes recorded), motion to send to board for first read approved.
Ending: The committee recorded no amendments to Policy 5114 during the meeting; staff said additional, related policies addressing restorative-practice training and other implementation details will be presented at later meetings.
