A.H.S. Student Handbook - Student Appeals

Appeal
An “appeal” is a claim by a student or group of students that there has been a violation or incorrect application of the rules governing students set forth in the Student Handbook.  However, the term “appeal” and the procedure relative to it do not apply to the following matters:

  • Matters for which a method of review is prescribed either by law or any rule or regulation of the State Commissioner of Education.
  • In matters where school administration or Board of Education is without authority to act.
  • Any matter which, according to law, is exclusively within the discretion of the Board of Education.

Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to allow students to solve any problems that occur at the lowest possible level of authority.  These procedures should be as informal and as confidential as possible.

Procedure

  1. Parental Involvement: parental involvement is necessary to process a student appeal.  Parental willingness to become involved is indicated by their signing the student appeal form.  Appeals may require the parent to make and keep an appointment with the principal to discuss the appeal.
  2. Time Limits:
    • If a student is appealing a detention, in-school suspension, or any similar penalty, the appeal must be completed within three (3) days.  
    • The principal will make every effort to expedite the appeal so that it may be heard before the date of the penalty.  If requested, the principal may delay the penalty, under special circumstances, pending the outcome of the appeal.  If the appeal is successful, the written discipline record will be expunged.  In all other cases, the principal will render a decision within five (5) working days.

Types of Appeal

  • Informal Level:
    • The student will discuss the appeal with the faculty member or administrator involved.
    • If no resolution is reached in #1, the student will present the appeal to his or her guidance counselor with the intention of solving the appeal.
    • If no resolution is reached in #2, the guidance counselor will meet with the student, the teacher, and the teacher’s chosen representative if deemed necessary, to try to solve the appeal.
    • If a student wishes to appeal a teacher-assigned detention he/she should see his/her vice principal.
  • Formal Level:
    • If, after discussion at the informal level, no resolution has been reached, the appeal will be presented to the principal in writing within three (3) days.
    • The principal will hear the appeal and make a determination which is final.  Only in cases involving a suspension of more than five (5) days, the student and parent have the right to appeal the principal’s decision to the superintendent.  If the student is not satisfied with the superintendent’s decision, the student may refer the appeal in writing to the Board of Education.
    • In cases involving suspensions due to fighting, an appeals committee may be convened at the discretion of the principal to deal with situations where there is a claim of self-defense.  This committee will consist of three teachers and two students (selected from the Student Council).  A vice principal and guidance counselor will serve in a non-voting, advisory capacity.  The vice principal will chair the committee.  The student and his/her parent(s) will be given the opportunity to appear before this committee.  The principal will review and may accept, reject, or amend the recommendations of this committee concerning the suspension.  The appeal is to be heard as soon as possible.  While on appeal, the student incurs an excused absence.  If on appeal, the suspension is upheld, those excused absences will reflect suspension status.
    • A class appeal expressed by a number of students would be forwarded directly to the principal.  The principal will meet with several representatives of the class or group.

Rights of Students to Representation
Student and Representation - Any student who is appealing a case must be present.  A parent should be present for any appeal hearings.  A student may also have a representative of his/her choice present at all stages of the appeal.

No reprisals of any kind shall be taken by  the Board of Education or by any member of the administration against any party in interests, any representative, or any other participant in the appeal procedure by reason of such participation.    

Miscellaneous
All decisions will be rendered in writing on a form.

Forms for filing an appeal, serving notices, taking appeals, making reports and recommendations, and other necessary documents shall be prepared by the guidance counselor.

All meetings and hearings under this procedure shall not be conducted in public and shall include only such parties in interest and their designated or selected representatives heretofore referred to in this article.