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An appeal process should be established that is spelled out in board and handbook policies. Basically, if a student/parent is dissatisfied with a consequence or decision made by one of the associate principals or athletic director, they can appeal to the principal, in writing, within a determined number of days of the initial decision. The principal will review and respond in writing. The student or parent may appeal to the Superintendent, in writing, within a specified number of days of receiving word from the principal.
The appeal process is important in disciplinary issues. For consistency sake, ask your administrators to go “by the book” but always inform students and parents of their right to appeal to the principal. This reinforces the chain of command. Special attention should be paid to due process, procedure, and fairness. Are there special circumstances? Will making an exception to typical practice set a bad precedent for the future? Is there a problem with the wording of the school policy?
Reserve the right to make an exception or deviate from the prescribed action without undermining your associate principals. Special circumstances at home, for example, may make an out-of-school suspension less attractive to a parent than an in-school suspension. Following through with a thorough investigation when these appeals occur sends a powerful message about fairness and helps to eliminate the calls from getting to the superintendent’s desk. The appeal process sends the message of fundamental fairness and allows time for tensions to ease. |
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