Discipline Hearing Procedures

• The hearing officer’s decision will be sent to the parent/legal guardian in writing after the hearing.
• Once the Office of Student Leadership has received the initial information from the school, the parent/legal guardian will be contacted by phone and in writing with the hearing date and time. Parents/legal guardians should make sure their contact information is up to date with the school.
• The student’s hearing will be scheduled within ten (10) school days.
• If the student has an IEP or in some instances a 504 plan, a manifestation meeting will be scheduled by the school prior to the hearing date.
• The parent/legal guardian should continue to pick up and turn in the student’s work while they are out of the building, unless the student is able to access academic assignments through the use of technology. (The student will still have access to their Chromebook while going through the hearing process.)
• The student must remain off of school property while going through the hearing process and awaiting the decision. A student who enters school property without prior authorization during a suspension will be disciplined accordingly and may face criminal trespassing charges. If there are any tests or exams that need to be completed at the school, for example SOL’s, the parent/legal guardian should communicate with the school and they will work out a day and time and provide authorization for the student to complete them.
• The packet of information that will be reviewed during the hearing can be picked up by the parent/legal guardian at the Office of Student Leadership the day before the hearing any time after 2:00 p.m. The parent/legal guardian will be required to show photo identification in order to pick up the packet.
• The parent/legal guardian and the student are expected to attend the hearing. Accommodations can be made for alternative forms of hearing participation, such as a phone conference. If the parent/legal guardian do not attend the hearing or arrive 15 minutes after the scheduled start time, the hearing will be held in their absence.
• The hearing officer’s decision will be sent to the parent/legal guardian in writing after the hearing.
• The hearing is scheduled for 30 minutes. Up to five (5) individuals may attend the hearing. Additional letters of character may be submitted ahead of time or at the hearing.

If the parent/legal guardian disagrees with the hearing officer’s decision once received in writing, then at that time the parent/legal guardian may appeal the decision to a discipline committee of the School Board. (See the Suspension Appeal Procedures of this document and reference School Board of the City of Virginia Beach Regulation 5-21.1)

Any questions regarding the hearing process should be directed to the Office of Student Leadership at (757) 263-2020.