York School Department
Office of the
Superintendent of Schools
Friday Focus
September 27, 2024
Dear YSD Families and Community Members,
Due to recent events, many of you have inquired about how a student can be expelled from a public school. To address your inquiry, I am including some information specific to Maine statutes related to expulsion to support your understanding of this complex process.
Maine's school expulsion law is designed to balance the need for a safe and orderly learning environment with the importance of providing students with educational opportunities. The regulations outline specific criteria for expulsion/suspension and establish procedures to ensure that students are treated fairly and have access to due process.
What are the criteria for expulsion?
Disruptive Behavior: Deliberately disobedient or disorderly conduct.
Violence: Infractions of violence.
Weapons: Possessing a firearm or dangerous weapon on school property without permission is a violation of the law, and the school department has no discretion. Expulsion is a mandatory consequence for one year under the law, and the school department has no discretion.
Dangerous Weapon: Using a dangerous weapon to cause injury or threaten to do so.
Drugs: Possessing, furnishing, or trafficking in scheduled drugs.
What is the process for student expulsion?
School Board Authority: Only the school board can expel a student.
Conditions for Return: Expelled students must meet specific conditions to be readmitted.
Manifestation Determination (MDR): For students with disabilities, an MDR determines if the behavior manifests the disability. If so, the school must provide additional support.
Alternative Education: Expelled students must receive alternative educational services.
Important Notes:
Age of the Student: The school board may not authorize the principal to issue an out-of-school suspension to a student enrolled in grade 5 or below unless the principal determines that there is an imminent danger of severe physical injury to the student or others and less restrictive interventions would be ineffective. An out-of-school suspension for a grade 5 or below student may not exceed three days.
Superintendent's Discretion: The superintendent may make exceptions in certain cases but is not obligated to do so.
Temporary Readmission: Expelled students may be allowed back on school property for one-time events.
Many citizens believe that expulsion sets the rule that a student is removed and never to return to school. This is inaccurate. Expulsion is not a permanent decision. Students can return to school after meeting the required conditions.
OneYork MISSION!
1. I sincerely thank the York Police Department for their prompt and effective response to the recent social media incident at York High School. Their involvement provided invaluable support to our students, staff, administrators, and families during this challenging time. We sincerely appreciate our collaborative partnerships with the York Police Department, which have been instrumental in ensuring the safety and well-being of our school community.
2. Please view the attached community center meeting flyer. I hope everyone can attend one of the meetings to see the plans for a possible future community center.
3. Every Friday Focus, we're thrilled to share the progress of our fundraising campaign for the new athletic complex. Thanks to your generosity, we've raised $3,283.90 so far. Your contributions make a real difference and bring us closer to our goal of $1,063,000. Please consider donating today!
4. You can now go to the York School Department website to see the donation tab for the new athletic complex.
Timothy L. Doak, Superintendent of Schools