If a public school (or public charter school) seeks to suspend or expel your child, these resources will give you important information about your child’s rights.
In Missouri, a short-term suspension is when a school excludes your child from school for 1 to 10 school days in a row. A school may only suspend your child by the principal.
Below are some tips regarding short-term suspensions:
- Make sure the school explains why your child was suspended and gives your child an opportunity to be heard if you disagree with the suspension.
- Make sure the school tells you when your child can return.
- Ask for homework or classwork to be completed for the days of school your child will missed.
- If you disagree with the suspension, ask the superintendent to shorten or reverse the suspension.
A long-term suspension is when a school excludes your child from school for more than 10 days in a row up to 180 days out of school.
In addition to the tips for short-term suspensions, below are some tips regarding long-term suspensions and expulsions.
- Make sure the school explains why your child was suspended and gives your child an opportunity to be heard if you disagree with the suspension.
- Prior to a long-term suspension, you and your child will meet with the superintendent (or someone they designate) to discuss the reasons for the suspension and if a long-term suspension will be given. Make sure the superintendent approves the long-term suspension.
- Your child may ask the Board of Education to review a long-term suspension.
- While you are waiting for an appeal hearing before the Board of Education, you should make a request for your child to return to school.
- Talk with the superintendent to understand your child’s options for alternative education while suspended.
Expulsion is excluding your child from school for more than 180 days or for an unlimited or indefinite amount of time.
In addition to the tips for suspensions, below are some additional tips for expulsion:
- Make sure your child receives a hearing before the Board of Education before the expulsion.
- Following the appeal hearing, if you or your child disagrees with the expulsion, you or your child may contact an attorney to file a request for a trial de novo in state court.
If your child has been suspended long-term or expelled they are entitled by law to an alternative education. Please be aware of the following regarding this right:
- Under Missouri law, if your child is suspended or expelled, both the school district and you as a parent remain responsible for the education of your child.
- This means the school district must provide, and pay for, an alternative education if your child is subject to a long-term suspension or expulsion.
- The school district may provide this alternative education itself or contract with an outside entity.
Please see the linked resources for more information:
