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Board reviews overhaul of student-discipline appeals and repeals an older tobacco policy
Summary
At a first reading, the board reviewed a 22-page revision to student-discipline and appeals policy that would move appeals authority to the superintendent or a designee; the board also voted to repeal policy 10-18 (use of tobacco) as redundant with policy 10-27.
The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education reviewed, as a first reading, a 22-page revision to the district’s student-discipline and appeals policy on July 13.
Michelle Havel, who presented the draft, said the principal change is removing the board as the decision-maker on appeals and instead authorizing the superintendent or a superintendent designee — such as a contracted hearing officer — to make appeal determinations. Havel also described consistent language edits that replace terms like “punishment” and “penalty” with “discipline,” and said the changes are intended to give the district flexibility with timelines and better protect students during public-facing proceedings.
Havel told the board that appeals are rare in the district — typically zero or one per year — and that the superintendent’s office could recuse a designee when necessary. "We’re giving a suspension, but the goal isn’t to duplicate that discipline with additional consequences," she said, summarizing the intent to preserve students' access to education while addressing disciplinary needs.
Board members asked for reporting back on how appeals proceed if the board is removed from the decision step. Several members suggested creating an internal reporting mechanism that would allow the board to review aggregate data, trends and outcomes so the board can spot policy gaps without intervening in individual cases. "We can always gather feedback from the parents, from the students that are involved in those processes," the superintendent said, adding the district can supply the board with summaries and metrics.
Separately, the board voted to repeal board policy 10-18 (use of tobacco), noting it is redundant with policy 10-27, which more fully addresses drug- and tobacco-free campuses. The repeal was moved, seconded and carried on voice vote.
Because the discipline-and-appeals item was a first reading, no final action on that policy occurred; the board indicated it would consider suggested language additions (for example, clarifying which official issues public decisions) at a subsequent meeting.
