How To Negotiate A Better School Expulsion Outcome
By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Expulsions from school unfortunately occur more often than one might think. Parents who believe life is going along smoothly with their children, may find themselves on the end of a phone call with a Vice Principal telling them to come pick up their child as they are up for suspension. Upon arrival and discussing the situation, they may also be told their child is up for expulsion and the matter is going to hearing. Is there any hope for resolution before the dreaded expulsion hearing? There may be. Usually, parents with a child up for expulsion wait for the expulsion hearing to take place to plead their case, believing the expulsion hearing panel and/or hearing officer will believe them and have mercy. Unfortunately, the expulsion panel usually takes a limited view of their punishment options and may feel they have no choice but to expel a student irregardless of a parent's plea and even on...