603 CMR 53.00

Student Discipline — Effective July 1, 2014

Section:

• 53.01: Purpose and Scope
• 53.02: Definitions
• 53.03: Policies and Procedures
• 53.04: Investigation of Disciplinary Incidents
• 53.05: Alternatives to Suspension under M.G.L. c. 71, § 37H¾
• 53.06: Notice of Suspension and Hearing under M.G.L. c. 71, § 37H¾
• 53.07: Emergency Removal under M.G.L. c. 71, § 37H¾
• 53.08: Principal's Hearing under M.G.L. c. 71, § 37H¾
• 53.09: Superintendent's Hearing under M.G.L. c. 71, § 37H¾
• 53.10: In-School Suspension under M.G.L. c. 71, § 37H¾
• 53.11: Exclusion from Extracurricular Activities and School-Sponsored Events
• 53.12: Disciplinary Offenses under M.G.L. c. 71, § 37H or 37H½
• 53.13: Education Services and Academic Progress under M.G.L. c. 71, §§ 37H, 37H½, 37H¾
• 53.14: Student Suspension and Expulsion Data Collection and Reporting
• View All Sections

Most Recently Amended by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education: September 19, 2023

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53.08: Principal's Hearing under M.G.L. c. 71, § 37H¾

(1) The principal shall determine the extent of the rights to be afforded the student at a disciplinary hearing based on the anticipated consequences for the disciplinary offense. If the consequence may be long-term suspension from school, the principal shall afford the student, at a minimum, all the rights set forth in 603 CMR 53.08(3) in addition to those rights afforded to students who may face a short-term suspension from school.

(2) Principal Hearing - Short-term Suspension

1. (a) The purpose of the hearing with the principal is to hear and consider information regarding the alleged incident for which the student may be suspended, provide the student an opportunity to dispute the charges and explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident, determine if the student committed the disciplinary offense, and if so, the consequences for the infraction. At a minimum, the principal shall discuss the disciplinary offense, the basis for the charge, and any other pertinent information. The student also shall have an opportunity to present information, including mitigating facts, that the principal should consider in determining whether other remedies and consequences may be appropriate as set forth in 603 CMR 53.05. The principal shall provide the parent, if present, an opportunity to discuss the student's conduct and offer information, including mitigating circumstances, that the principal should consider in determining consequences for the student.

2. (b) Based on the available information, including mitigating circumstances, the principal shall determine whether the student committed the disciplinary offense, and, if so, what remedy or consequence will be imposed.

3. (c) The principal shall notify the student and parent of the determination and the reasons for it, and, if the student is suspended, the type and duration of suspension and the opportunity to make up assignments and such other school work as needed to make academic progress during the period of removal, as provided in 603 CMR 53.13(1). The determination shall be in writing and may be in the form of an update to the original written notice.

4. (d) If the student is in a preschool program or in grades K through 3, the principal shall send a copy of the written determination to the superintendent and explain the reasons for imposing an out-of-school suspension, before the short-term suspension takes effect.

(3) Principal Hearing - Long-term Suspension

1. (a) The purpose of the hearing is the same as the purpose of a short-term suspension hearing.

2. (b) At a minimum, in addition to the rights afforded a student in a short-term suspension hearing, the student shall have the following rights:

   1. In advance of the hearing, the opportunity to review the student's record and the documents upon which the principal may rely in making a determination to suspend the student or not;
   2. the right to be represented by counsel or a lay person of the student's choice, at the student's/parent's expense;
   3. the right to produce witnesses on his or her behalf and to present the student's explanation of the alleged incident, but the student may not be compelled to do so; and
   4. the right to cross-examine witnesses presented by the school district; and
   5. the right to request that the hearing be recorded by the principal, and to receive a copy of the audio recording provided to the student or parent upon request. If the student or parent requests an audio recording, the principal shall inform all participants before the hearing that an audio record will be made and a copy will be provided to the student and parent upon request.
   
   

3. (c) The principal shall provide the parent, if present, an opportunity to discuss the student's conduct and offer information, including mitigating circumstances, that the principal should consider in determining consequences for the student.

4. (d) Based on the evidence, the principal shall determine whether the student committed the disciplinary offense, and, if so, after considering mitigating circumstances and alternatives to suspension as set forth in 603 CMR 53.05, what remedy or consequence will be imposed, in place of or in addition to a long-term suspension. The principal shall send the written determination to the student and parent by hand-delivery, certified mail, first-class mail, email to an address provided by the parent for school communications, or other method of delivery agreed to by the principal and the parent. If the principal decides to suspend the student, the written determination shall:

   1. Identify the disciplinary offense, the date on which the hearing took place, and the participants at the hearing;
   2. Set out the key facts and conclusions reached by the principal;
   3. Identify the length and effective date of the suspension, as well as a date of return to school;
   4. Include notice of the student's opportunity to receive education services to make academic progress during the period of removal from school as provided in 603 CMR 53.13(4)(a);
   5. Inform the student of the right to appeal the principal's decision to the superintendent or designee, but only if the principal has imposed a long-term suspension. Notice of the right of appeal shall be in English and the primary language of the home if other than English, or other means of communication where appropriate, and shall include the following information stated in plain language:
      1. the process for appealing the decision, including that the student or parent must file a written notice of appeal with the superintendent within five calendar days of the effective date of the long-term suspension; provided that within the five calendar days, the student or parent may request and receive from the superintendent an extension of time for filing the written notice for up to seven additional calendar days; and that
      2. the long-term suspension will remain in effect unless and until the superintendent decides to reverse the principal's determination on appeal.
      
      

5. (e) If the student is in a public preschool program or in grades K through 3, the principal shall send a copy of the written determination to the superintendent and explain the reasons for imposing an out-of-school suspension, whether short-term or long-term, before the suspension takes effect.

Regulatory Authority:
M.G.L. c.69, s. 1B & c.71, s. 37H & 37H 3/4

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Disclaimer:
For an official copy of these regulations, please contact the State House Bookstore, at 617-727-2834 or visit Massachusetts State Bookstore.

Last Updated: September 25, 2023