Legislative Bill 503 was passed by the Nebraska Legislature in 1976.  This bill provides the conditions under which students may be excluded from public schools.  Its purpose is to insure elementary and secondary school students in Nebraska their Constitutional rights as provided in the recent case of Goss vs. Lopez.

     Although the bill concerns exclusion from school its foundation is violation of school rules and regulations.  It is important that all district Boards of Education make and disseminate school rules and regulations concerning student conduct.  The statute provides:

               (1)  Rules must be clear and definite to provide clear notice to students.

               (2)  Rules should be distributed to students and their parents at the beginning of each school year, or at the'
                     time of enrollment.

               (3)  Rules shall be posted in conspicuous places in each school during the school year.

               (4)  Changes in rules and standards shall not take effect until reasonable effort has been made to distribute
                     such changes to all students and parents.
              
            The statute provides for 5 types of exclusion:

               (1)  short term:  Up to and including 5 days

               (2)  emergency:  Immediate exclusion if the student has a dangerous disease, or his/her conduct presents a
                     threat to the physical safety of the school, community or is very disruptive

               (3)  long term:  More than 5 days, less than 20 days

               (4)  expulsion:  Remainder of semester

               (5)  mandatory reassignment:  Involuntary transfer to another school within the system in connection with
                     any disciplinary action.

The statute provides the conditions and applicable procedure for each type of exclusion.

          (1)  Short Term - Up to and including 5 days:
               a.  Administrator must make an investigation.
               b.  Administrator may suspend after he/she determines it is necessary to help the student, or to prevent
                    interference with school purposes.
               c.  Student must be given oral or written notice of changes, an explanation of the evidence against him/her,
                    and an opportunity to present his/her version.
               d.  Within 24 hours (or such time as is reasonable necessary) following suspension, the administrator must:
                   (1)  give a written statement to student, student's parents or guardian describing the student's conduct or
                         violation of rule.
                   (2) give reason for the action taken.
                   (3)  make a reasonable effort to confer with parents before or at a time student returns to school.

          Some of the activities or behaviors which could result in Short-Term suspension are as follows:

               a.  possession or use of tobacco on school property or at a school function
               b.  refusal to comply with reasonable standards of behavior established by teacher or administration
               c.  use of abusive or profane language
               d.  vandalism of property belonging to the school district, staff, or other students
               e.  fighting
               f.  willful truancy or tardiness
               g.  theft of property belonging to the school   
                   district, staff, or students.

          (2)  Procedure for Emergency Exclusion:

               a.  Exclusion may not last longer than necessary to avoid the threats of the emergency.
               b.  If longer than 5 days, there must be substantial compliance with the procedures provided for long term
                    exclusion (listed below).

          (3)  Long Term, Exclusion and Mandatory Reassignment:

               a.  The following behavior constitutes grounds for these types of exclusions:
                   (1)  use of violence, force, coercion, threat, substantial interference with school purposes
                   (2)  damage to school or private property of substantial value
                   (3)  physical injury to any student or school employee
                   (4)  threat to obtain money or anything of value
                   (5)  knowingly possessing or handling a weapon
                   (6)  possession of controlled substance or alcoholic beverage
                   (7)  engaging in any activity forbidden by law which interferes with school purposes
                   (8)  repeated violation of rules and regulations.
        
               b.  The following procedure is required to exclude longer than five days.
                   (1)  A written charge and summary of evidence supporting the charge shall be filed with the
                         administrator on the date of the decision to exclude.
                   (2)  Hearing examiner must give written notice to the administrator, student and student's guardian or
                         parents of the time and place for the hearing.
                   (3)  Hearing must be held within 5 days after the request, but cannot be held without providing the
                          administrator, student and student's parents of at least 2 school days notice.
                   (4)  The right to examine the record and written statements (including) the statement on any witnesses
                          for the school the legal counsel, the student, the student's parents, the guardian or representative.
                   (5)  If no hearing is requested, the punishment goes into effect on the 5th day following  the notice.  A
                         hearing may be held, if requested after 5 days, but no longer than 30 calendar days following receipt
                         of notice.  Here punishment continues, pending final determination.

               c.  Requirements to be a Hearing Examiner:
                    1.  has not brought the charges against the student.
                    2.  shall not be a witness at the hearing.
                    3.  has no involvement in the charge, be impartial.
                    4.  must be available to answer any questions
                        relative to hearing.

         The following rules apply when a hearing is scheduled.
                  
                   (1)  The following shall attend the hearing: hearing examiner, the student, his/her guardian or parents
                          and if necessary the counsel for the School Board.
                   (2)  Witnesses may be present only when testifying.
                   (3)  Anyone may be excluded by the examiner if they disrupt the proceedings.
                   (4)  Students may speak in her/his behalf and question witnesses; she/he may request not to speak; may
                         be excluded if necessary when discussing student's emotional behavior.
                   (5)  The administrator shall present a statement to the hearing examiner (in affidavit form) for anyone
                         having the information about the student's conduct and the student's records,  only if these have
                         been made available to the student, student's parents, guardian, or representative prior to the
                         hearing. 
                   (6)  Hearing officer is not bound by rules of evidence or other courtroom procedure.
                   (7)  The following persons may ask persons to testify at the hearing: student, the student's parents,
                         guardian or representative, the administrator and the hearing examiner.
                   (8)  Testimony shall be under oath; the hearing examiner shall administer the oath.
                   (9)  The persons listed in 7 above shall have the right to question.
                  (10) Any person giving testimony is given the same immunity from liability as a person testifying in a
                         court case.
                  (11) The proceeding shall be recorded at the expense of the school district.
                  (12) If more than one student is charged with violation of the same rule and acted in concert, a single
                         hearing may be held, unless student interests may be substantially prejudiced as determined by the
                         hearing examiner.

            Report of the Hearing Examiner.
                   (1)  Report shall include hearing examiner's recommendation and the reason for the decision.
                   (2)  Report shall be reviewed by the administrator who may change, revoke, or impose the
                         sanctions recommended.  In no case may the administrator's changes be more severe than
                         the examiner's recommendation.
                   (3) Written notice of the recommendation by the examiner and administrator shall be sent by registered
                         mail.
                   (4)  Upon receipt of the written notice, the
                        determination recommendation shall take effect.

               The Record and the Appeal:

                   (1)  The record shall consist of the charge, the notice, the evidence presented, and the hearing
                          examiner's findings and recommendations.
                   (2)  On appeal to a court, the record shall also consist of any additional evidence taken and any
                          additional action taken in the case.
                   (3)  Appeal to the School Board may be made within 7 days by the student, the student's parents or
                         guardian by a written request filed with the Secretary of the Board or the administrator.
                   (4)  Hearing of the School Board:
                        a.  At least 3 board members must be present.
                        b.  Must be held on or before next regular board meeting.
                        c.  The appeal shall be made on the record, but new evidence may be admitted to avoid substantial
                             unfairness.  The new evidence shall be part of the record.
                        d.  When the School Board deliberates, it may reopen hearings to receive evidence subject to the
                             right of all parties to be present.
                        e.  The School Board may never impose more severe actions.
                        f.  Final determinations of the School Board shall be personally delivered or sent by registered mail
                             to the student and her/his parents or guardian.
                        g.  Appeal of the decision of the School Board is to the district court of the county where the action
                             is taken.  Appeal must be made within 30 days after service of the final decision of the School                                    Board.