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Board adopts updated bylaws and revises suspension/expulsion policy; clarifies imitation-firearm handling
Summary
Trustees approved final-reading changes to board bylaws (900 series) and adopted updates to suspension/expulsion language in the 5000 series. Discussion clarified Education Code 48915 applies to real firearms; imitation firearms may be grounds for suspension under other code sections. Both actions passed unanimously.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Education adopted amendments to its board bylaws (the 900 series) on final reading and approved revisions to its suspension and expulsion policies in the 5000 series.
Trustee Van Allen, chair of the policy committee, presented the bylaws amendments and recommended adoption. The board voted unanimously to adopt the revisions on final reading.
On student discipline, trustees reviewed policy language that aligns the COE with state Education Code. Staff cited the code and clarified a key distinction: mandatory expulsion under Ed. Code 48915 applies to possessing a real firearm at school, while imitation firearms are treated under suspension provisions. As staff summarized: “As required by law, the superintendent or principal shall recommend expulsion... possessing a firearm, which is not an imitation firearm as verified by your certificated employee unless the student had obtained prior written permission to possess that item.” (staff reading of packet language). Trustees discussed scenarios of realistic-looking imitation firearms and the role of progressive interventions; the policy changes were approved unanimously, with trustees agreeing to waive an additional reading where appropriate.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 1684, topfinish SEG 1907.
