Norfolk schools will require most students serving long-term suspensions to attend alternative school. The school board last week approved revisions to the policy governing suspensions and expulsions, allowing for the change.
The revised policy states, “Students shall be required to attend alternative school during, and in some cases after, any period of long-term suspension, unless the division, at its sole discretion, determines that the circumstances warrant denying the student the ability to attend any school within the division during the period of the long-term suspension.”
Long-term suspensions are generally 11 to 45 days. In certain cases, long-term suspensions could extend beyond 45 days while not exceeding a year.
The revised policy also states that students or guardians “failing to enroll in and attend alternative school when ordered to do so will be treated as truant.” A warning of potential consequences for truancy will be included in suspension notices sent to students and guardians when alternative school attendance is required.
Nour Habib, [email protected]
