Williamsville Central School District

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Student Discipline

Adoption Date: 7/7/2009
7000 - Students

7314 - STUDENTS PRESUMED TO HAVE A DISABILITY FOR DISCIPLINE PURPOSES

The parent of a student who has violated any rule or code of conduct of the District and who was not identified as a student with a disability at the time of such behavior may assert several protections provided for under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and State regulations if the District is deemed to have had knowledge (as determined in accordance with law and/or regulations and referenced below) that the student was a student with a disability before the behavior that precipitated the disciplinary action occurred.

Basis of Knowledge
The District shall be deemed to have knowledge that the student had a disability if prior to the time the behavior occurred:

  1. The parent of the student has expressed concern in writing to supervisory or administrative personnel, or to a teacher of the student, that the student is in need of special education and related services. However, expressions of concern may be oral if the parent does not know how to write or has a disability that prevents a written statement;
  2. The parent of the student has made a written request for an evaluation of the student by the Committee on Special Education; or
  3. A teacher of the student, or other District personnel, has expressed specific concerns about a pattern of behavior demonstrated by the student, directly to the Director of Special Education or to other supervisory personnel.
Exception
A student is not a student presumed to have a disability for discipline purposes if, as a result of receiving the information specified above (i.e., subheading "Basis of Knowledge"):

  1. The parent of the student has not allowed an evaluation of the student pursuant to law and/or regulations;
  2. The parent of the student has refused services under law and/or regulations; or
  3. The student has been evaluated and it was determined that the student is not a student with a disability.
If it is claimed by the parent of the student or by District personnel that the District had a basis for knowledge, in accordance with law and/or regulation, that the student was a student with a disability prior to the time the behavior subject to disciplinary action occurred, it shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent of Schools, Building Principal or other school official imposing the suspension or removal to determine whether the student is a student presumed to have a disability.

Conditions That Apply if There is No Basis of Knowledge
If it is determined that there is no basis for knowledge that the student is a student with a disability prior to taking disciplinary measures against the student, the student may be subjected to the same disciplinary measures as any other nondisabled student who engaged in comparable behaviors.

However, if a request for an individual evaluation by the Committee on Special Education is made during the time period in which such nondisabled student is subjected to a disciplinary removal, an expedited evaluation shall be conducted in accordance with law and/or regulations. Pending the results of the evaluation, the student shall remain in the educational placement determined by school authorities.

If the student is determined to be a student with a disability, taking into consideration information from the evaluation and information provided by the parents, the District shall provide special education and related services in accordance with law and/or regulations.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 [Public Law 108-446, Section 615(k)(5)]
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 United States Code (USC) Section 1400 et seq.
34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 300
8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) Section 201.5

Policy Cross References: 
  • » 7313 - SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS
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