Right To Due Process

In any disciplinary situation, a student should expect the following procedural protections:

to be informed of the allegations against him or her
to be given the opportunity to present his or her version of the incident
to be given the opportunity to confirm or deny the allegations
to be informed of the evidence/rationale for any disciplinary consequences.

In situations involving infractions which may result in the imposition of suspension from school for two to ten days, a student should expect the following additional procedures:

attempted notification of parent/guardian within the first hour of the incident investigation
to be offered the opportunity to request the presence of a school-based adult advocate during the investigation
formal notification of parent/guardian regarding any disciplinary consequences
the right to appeal suspensions of five to ten days to the building principal.
written notification of allegations sent to student and parent/guardian

In situations involving infractions which may result in the imposition of long-term suspension from school for more than ten days or expulsion, a student should expect the following additional procedures:

written notification of allegations sent to student and parent/guardian
adequate time to prepare for a hearing, including presenting evidence and witnesses on his or her behalf and securing the assistance of counsel
see District section of handbook for procedures for students with Individualized Education Plans or 504 Plans
the right to appeal disciplinary decisions to the district superintendent.

Lockers are the property of the Amherst Regional High School. In a search and seizure situation, the student who has been assigned the locker may be given the opportunity to be present. This will occur only when a student’s personal possessions are being checked and the student’s presence does not present a threat to that student’s safety or to the safety of others. Contraband found in the course of a search of a student’s locker, bag or person will be confiscated and, if appropriate, turned over to the Amherst Police Department. Disposition of contraband turned over to the APD is the responsibility of the police.