Pupil discipline: suspension and detention.

(1) Existing law authorizes the principal of the school, the principal's designee, or the district superintendent of schools to suspend a pupil from the school for any of specified reasons for no more than 5 consecutive schooldays. Existing law requires the suspension by the principal, the principal's designee, or the district superintendent of schools to be preceded by an informal conference conducted by the principal, the principal's designee, or the district superintendent of schools between the pupil and, whenever practicable, the teacher, supervisor, or school employee who referred the pupil to the principal, the principal's designee, or the district superintendent of schools. This bill would require, before the informal conference described above, the pupil's teacher, the principal, or the principal's designee to make a reasonable effort to notify the pupil's parent or guardian that the informal conference is scheduled to occur. To the extent this bill would impose additional duties on school districts in regards to the nondiscretionary suspension of a pupil, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) Existing law provides that, if the number of pupils suspended from school during the prior school year exceeded 30% of the school's enrollment, the school should consider doing at least one of specified alternatives to suspension, including, among others, detention. This bill would require, if a pupil has been issued detention, as defined, for a particular action or behavior pursuant to the provisions described above, before considering suspension for that pupil, the pupil's teacher to make a reasonable effort to notify the parent or guardian of the pupil that the pupil has been issued detention and may be considered for suspension if the pupil repeats the action or behavior, except as specified. (3) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.