Suspended Or Expelled
G.S. 115C-390.6 — an informal hearing before a short-term suspension, and only the superintendent may suspend long term
| The question | Short-term suspension | Long-term suspension |
|---|---|---|
| The questionWho decides | Short-term suspensionThe principal | Long-term suspensionOnly the superintendent, on a principal's recommendation |
| The questionHow long | Short-term suspensionUp to 10 school days | Long-term suspensionMore than 10 school days |
| The questionWhat comes first | Short-term suspensionAn opportunity for an informal hearing with the principal | Long-term suspensionAn opportunity for a hearing |
The informal hearing. No short-term suspension is imposed without first giving the student an opportunity for an informal hearing with the principal. The notice of the charges may be oral or written, and the hearing may follow immediately. The student has the right to be present, to be told the charges and their basis, and to make statements in defense or mitigation.
Without a hearing first. Where the student's presence creates a direct and immediate threat to the safety of others, or substantially disrupts the education of others or discipline at the school, the principal may suspend first and give the notice and hearing as soon as practicable.
The parent's notice. The principal notifies the parent of any short-term suspension, with the reason and a description of the alleged conduct, by the end of the workday it is imposed when reasonably possible and never more than two days after. Where English is the parent's second language, the notice is in the parent's primary language when resources are readily available, and in English.
No appeal of a short one. A student is not entitled to appeal a short-term suspension to the superintendent or governing body, and the decision is not subject to judicial review, though the governing body may choose to provide a review.
While suspended short term. The student may take textbooks home, receive all missed assignments on request, and take any quarterly, semester or grading period examinations missed.
A long-term suspension. A principal may recommend it, but only the superintendent may impose it, and only after the student has an opportunity for a hearing. A long-term suspension for an offense before the final quarter runs no longer than the rest of that school year.
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 North Carolina attorney.
Sources for this section (4)
- G.S. 115C-390.1 — State policy and definitions
- G.S. 115C-390.5 — Short-term suspension
- G.S. 115C-390.6 — Short-term suspension procedures
- G.S. 115C-390.7 — Long-term suspension
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.