7:210 - Expulsion Procedures

The Superintendent or designee shall implement expulsion procedures that provide, at a minimum, for

the following:

1. Before a student may be expelled, the student and his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be

provided a written request to appear at a hearing to determine whether the student should be

expelled. The request shall be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. The

request shall:

a. Include the time, date, and place for the hearing.

b. Briefly describe what will happen during the hearing.

c. Detail the specific act of gross disobedience or misconduct resulting in the decision to

recommend expulsion.

d. Inform the student and parent(s)/guardian(s) that a representative of their choice and at

their expense is permitted to represent the student throughout the proceedings and to

address the Board or its hearing officer.

e. Inform the student and parent(s)/guardian(s) that a support person of their choice and at

their expense is permitted to accompany the student throughout the proceedings.

f. List the student’s prior suspension(s).

g. State that the School Code allows the School Board to expel a student for a definite period

of time not to exceed two calendar years, as determined on a case-by-case basis.

h. Ask that the student or parent(s)/guardian(s) inform the Superintendent or Board Attorney

if the student will appear with a representative and/or support person and, if so, provide the

name(s) and contact information for the representative and/or support person.

2. Unless the student and parent(s)/guardian(s) indicate that they do not want a hearing or fail to

appear at the designated time and place, the hearing will proceed. It shall be conducted by the

Board or a hearing officer appointed by it. If a hearing officer is appointed, he or she shall

report to the Board the evidence presented at the hearing and the Board shall take such final

action as it finds appropriate.

3. Whenever there is evidence that mental illness may be the cause for the recommended

expulsion, the Superintendent or designee shall invite a representative from a local mental

health agency to consult with the Board.

4. During the expulsion hearing, the Board or hearing officer shall hear evidence concerning

whether the student is guilty of the gross disobedience or misconduct as charged.

a. School officials must provide: (1) testimony of any other interventions attempted and

exhausted or of their determination that no other appropriate and available interventions

were available for the student, and (2) evidence of the threat or disruption posed by the

student.

b. The student and his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) may appear with a representative, be

accompanied by a support person, disclose any factor to be considered in mitigation

(including his or her status as a parent, expectant parent, or victim of domestic or sexual

violence as defined in 105 ILCS 5/26A), offer evidence, present witnesses, cross-examine

witnesses who testified, and otherwise present reasons why the student should not be

expelled. Any representative and support person must comply with hearing rules and may

be prohibited from further participation if they violate the rules or engage in behavior or

advocacy that harasses, abuses, or intimidates either party, a witness, or anyone else in

attendance at the hearing.

c. If the expulsion hearing involves allegations of sexual violence by the student, neither the

student nor the student's representative shall directly question nor have direct contact with

the alleged victim. The student or the student's representative may, at the discretion of the

Board or its hearing officer, suggest questions to be posed by the Board or its hearing

officer to the alleged victim.

5. After presentation of the evidence or receipt of the hearing officer’s report, the Board shall

decide the issue of guilt and take such action as it finds appropriate.

6. If the Board acts to expel the student, its written expulsion decision shall:

a. Detail the specific reason why removing the student from his or her learning environment

is in the best interest of the school.

b. Provide a rationale for the specific duration of the recommended expulsion.

c. Document how school officials determined that all behavioral and disciplinary

interventions have been exhausted by specifying which interventions were attempted or

whether school officials determined that no other appropriate and available interventions

existed for the student.

d. Document how the student’s continuing presence in school would (1) pose a threat to the

safety of other students, staff, or members of the school community, or (2) substantially

disrupt, impede, or interfere with the operation of the school.

e. Upon expulsion, the District may refer the student to appropriate and available support

services.

LEGAL REF.: Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565 (1975).

105 ILCS 5/10-20.14, 5/10-22.6.

CROSS REF.: 5:100 (Staff Development Program), 7:130 (Student Rights and Responsibilities),

7:190 (Student Behavior), 7:200 (Suspension Procedures), 7:230 (Misconduct by

Students with Disabilities)

Adopted: August 25, 2025