Bill to allow one-day K—3 suspensions draws sharply divided testimony; author lays it over for omnibus
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Summary
Senate File 4023 would permit an extra day of dismissal for some K—3 disciplinary incidents to allow planning and supports; superintendents and principals urged the change, while disability, equity and restorative-practice groups strongly opposed it as reinstating exclusionary discipline for young children.
Senator Abler presented Senate File 4023 seeking to allow up to an additional day of dismissal (interpreted in testimony as up to a day and a half) for kindergarten through third-grade students following certain disciplinary incidents. Supporters, including superintendents and elementary principals, said the change would provide time for school teams to convene, plan supports and ensure victim safety after serious incidents. Corey McIntyre (Anoka-Hennepin superintendent) said his district recorded 142 K—3 classroom evacuations this school year and 157 staff injuries, with 70 percent at the K—3 level; he argued the extra time would allow individualized planning.
Opponents including Solutions Not Suspensions, Legal Aid, the Multicultural Autism Action Network and educators'led groups warned that reinstating suspensions for the youngest learners would increase lost instructional time, disproportionately affect Black and Indigenous students and undermine recent equity-focused reforms. Legal Aid's attorney said the suspension ban addressed decades of disproportionate discipline and cautioned the bill lacks safeguards (limits, oversight, or clear definitions) and could reopen disparities.
Senator Abler said he sought a narrowly targeted change and proposed record-keeping, data collection and objective standards to limit subjective use; after extensive testimony and questioning the author laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill so stakeholders can continue negotiations.