For students facing suspensions of 10 days or fewer, state law guarantees you have the right to at least the following procedures:

• A conference with the school principal and any school officials involved in the proposed suspension. [1]
• At or before the conference, the student must be told the charges (can be just orally), and the evidence supporting the charges. The student must also be given an opportunity to explain his or her side of the story. [2]
• If the student or his or her parent does not speak English fluently, the school must arrange to have a translator present at the conference. (Both Prince George’s and Montgomery County school districts have English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) offices Office at their headquarter that can arrange for translation at discipline conferences or hearings.

Unless school officials feel that the student’s continued presence will compromise school safety and security, the conference should happen before the initiation of the suspension. If not, the school must notify the parent and arrange a conference promptly after the beginning of the suspension. [3]State law does not include any right to appeal a short suspension, but both counties do provide such appeals. A student in Montgomery County has the right to appeal to the principal for reconsideration and then to a higher official, and a student in Prince George’s County has a right to request a review by an official above the principal. [4]

[1] Md. Code, Education § 7-305(a), COMAR § 13A.08.01.11(C)(2)(b).

[2] COMAR § 13A.08.01.11(C)(2)(c).

[3] COMAR § 13A.08.01.11(C)(2)(d).

[4] Montgomery County Public Schools, Regulation JGA-RB, Suspension or Expulsion of an MCPS Student § IV(B)(1); Prince George’s County, Administrative Procedure 10101, Code of Student Conduct § VII(E)(2).