Procedure for Expulsion
When the reasons for expulsion are purely disciplinary, i.e., when serious moral reasons are not involved, the following steps must be taken:
- A conference must be held with the parents/guardians, student, teacher, and principal present to advise the family that serious action is
contemplated unless there is immediate improvement in behavior. In parish schools, the pastor should be notified of the conference, given an
opportunity to attend and provided a report of the discussion.
- If there is no improvement in behavior, the final decision will be announced at a second conference attended by the principal, teacher, and
parents/guardians. If the parents fail, without cause, to attend the conference, the pastor, principal, and teacher will reach a final decision. The final
decision rests with the pastor in consultation with the principal.
- In no case will a teacher on his/her own authority expel a student.
- Full credit will be given for all work accomplished by the student up to the moment of expulsion.
Cases Involving Grave Offenses
- In cases involving grave offenses, which may include a violation of criminal law or actions so outrageous as to shock the conscience or behavior of
the community, the student is immediately suspended and the initial parent-principal conference is dispensed with.
- The procedure involving cases of grave offenses should be followed when the continued presence of the student at school (even for a short period
of time) will, in the reasonable judgment of the principal, pose a serious threat to the health and welfare of another student or students, or faculty
members.
- When immediate suspension is imposed, with probable expulsion, while the case is being investigated, the rules and the consequences of the
violation should be clearly explained to the student and parents/guardians.
Time of Expulsion
- An expulsion may be made immediately if the reasons are urgent.
- Only in exceptional cases shall expulsion of an eighth grade student who has been in the school one or more years be allowed.
- If an expulsion is to take place during the last quarter of the school year or during the last semester in the case of an eighth grade student, prior
approval of the Department of Catholic Schools is required before the expulsion can take effect.
- If such action is contemplated, approval shall be obtained before the announcement of the final decision to the parents at the meeting described
below.
Reporting of Expulsions
- All expulsions even if they occur at the end of the year, are to be reported by telephone to the elementary supervisor at the Department of Catholic
Schools within twenty-four hours. The written report, Notice of Dismissal, should be mailed promptly to the elementary supervisor.
- The attendance office of the local public school district shall be notified immediately of expulsions. A copy of the Cumulative Student Record should
be held until requested.
Right to Make Exceptions
- The principal, in consultation with the pastor, retains the right to make exceptions in cases where mitigating circumstances call for a different
response than policy suggests.
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