Suspended Or Expelled
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 167.171 — a principal may suspend for up to ten school days, the superintendent for up to one hundred and eighty, with notice first
| The question | Suspension | Expulsion |
|---|---|---|
| The questionWho decides | SuspensionA principal, up to ten school days; the superintendent, up to one hundred and eighty school days | ExpulsionThe school board |
| The questionWhat comes first | SuspensionNotice of the charges, an explanation if they are denied, and a chance to tell the pupil's version | ExpulsionNotice to the parents and a hearing upon the charges |
Before any suspension. No pupil is suspended unless the pupil is given oral or written notice of the charges; if the pupil denies them, an oral or written explanation of the facts behind the proposed suspension; and an opportunity to present the pupil's version of the incident.
The appeal, after more than ten school days. A suspension by the superintendent for more than ten school days may be appealed by the pupil or parents to the board, or a committee of it, which on request grants a hearing. Where the pupil gives notice of an appeal, the suspension is stayed until the board decides, unless the pupil's presence poses a continuing danger or an ongoing threat of disrupting the academic process.
A principal's suspension. It is reported immediately to the superintendent, who may revoke it at any time.
Expulsion. The school board, after notice to the parents and a hearing upon the charges, may suspend or expel a pupil for conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline, or that tends to impair the morale or good conduct of pupils. Prior disciplinary actions are not the sole basis for it, and the board makes a good faith effort to have the parents present. Due process includes the right to a trial de novo in circuit court.
Waiving the hearing. After meeting with the superintendent to discuss an expulsion, the parent, custodian, or a student at least eighteen years of age may waive the board hearing in writing.
A district's own code of conduct and board rules fill in much of the detail, and they are not on this page. How a particular suspension applies to a particular student is a question for a licensed Missouri attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 167.161 — Suspension or expulsion of pupil; notice; hearing
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 167.171 — Summary suspension of pupil; appeal; procedure
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Missouri attorney.