72-6117. Notice of hearing results; appeal to board of education; hearing officers; procedure. (a) Written notice of the result of any hearing imposing an extended-term suspension or an expulsion from school shall be given to the pupil suspended or expelled from school, and to the parents or guardians of the pupil within 24 hours after determination of such result.

(b) Any pupil, age 18 or older, who has been suspended for an extended term or expelled, or one of the pupil's parents or guardians of a pupil under age 18, may appeal such suspension or expulsion to the board of education of the school district by filing a written notice of appeal with the clerk of the board of education not later than 10 calendar days after receiving the written notice. Any such appeal shall be heard by the board of education, or by a hearing officer appointed by such board, not later than 20 calendar days after such notice of appeal is filed. The pupil and the pupil's parents or guardians shall be notified in writing of the time and place of the appeal hearing at least five days prior thereto. Such appeal shall be conducted under rules which are consonant with K.S.A. 72-6116, and amendments thereto. Except as provided by subsection (c), the decision on any such appeal shall be rendered not later than five days after the conclusion of the appeal hearing.

(c) For the purpose of hearing an appeal of an extended-term suspension or an expulsion, the board of education may appoint one or more hearing officers. Any such hearing officer shall be a member of the board of education, a certificated employee of the school district, or an attorney admitted to the practice of law in this state. Any such appointment shall apply to a particular hearing or to a set or class of hearings as specified by the board of education in making the appointment. Whenever a hearing officer appointed under authority of this section hears any appeal, the hearing officer shall prepare a written report thereon to the board of education. After receiving any such report, the board of education shall determine the matter with or without additional hearing. If a hearing officer is appointed to hear an appeal, the board shall render its decision not later than the next regularly-scheduled meeting of the board following the date of the conclusion of the hearing of the appeal by the hearing officer. Any matter determined by the board of education in accordance with this subsection shall be valid to the same extent as if the matter were fully heard by the board of education without a hearing officer.

History: L. 1970, ch. 300, § 4; L. 1971, ch. 247, § 3; L. 1994, ch. 307, § 4; L. 2000, ch. 138, § 8; L. 2006, ch. 167, § 1; July 1.