Parent urges board to review discipline and IEP notification after son’s in-school suspension

At the Feb. 17 Garfield Heights Board of Education meeting, parent Renee Bolton of 5749 Turney Road used the public comment period to ask the board to review disciplinary practices after her son — who has an individualized education program (IEP) — was removed from class and assigned a full day of in-school suspension for wearing a hat.

Bolton told the board that students had worn hats throughout the prior semester without consequence and that the first-day enforcement resulted in immediate removal without a prior warning or detention. She said she was not notified when the suspension occurred and that when she later called the school she was told parents are not required to be notified for in-school suspension in nonviolent matters.

Bolton said multiple emails seeking written clarification about how IEP services and accommodations were provided during the suspension were unanswered by building and district leadership. She described the silence as “unacceptable” and asked the board to review policies on parental notification for full-day in-school suspensions, consistent enforcement of dress code, proportionality of discipline relative to instructional-time priorities, and compliance for students with IEPs.

The presiding officer acknowledged receipt of the emails and said the board would follow up the next day. Earlier, the board voted to extend Bolton’s public-participation time to allow her to finish.

No formal disciplinary appeal or review was taken during the meeting; the board did not make an on-the-spot determination and directed staff to follow up on Bolton’s requests.