Responsibilities and Due Process
Responsibilities of Students
Lincoln Public Schools supports a clear discipline system that emphasizes prevention of prohibited student conduct, student accountability for actions, and restorative practices. Students are expected to follow school expectations by being respectful, responsible, and safe. In order to function properly, public school education must provide equal learning opportunities for all students. In addition to the regular curriculum, good citizenship must be taught and demonstrated. This includes an appreciation for the rights of others.
The guidelines for student behavior are the Responsibilities of Students. This one page document is posted in all Lincoln Public School buildings. A copy of the Responsibilities of Students is contained in the Important Information booklet. This booklet is sent to families of Lincoln Public Schools students at the beginning of each school year. Students that have been suspended from school will also receive a copy of the Responsibilities of Students from the building administrator.
Due Process
Our district is committed to fair and equitable treatment for all students. In matters of student discipline, due process ensures that students are given a fair opportunity to understand and respond to any disciplinary action that may be taken. Due process refers to the legal and procedural protections provided to students when there is a violation of school rules. These protections are designed to ensure fairness and consistency in all disciplinary decisions.
Key Elements of Due Process:
- Notice: Students and families will be informed of the specific rule that has been violated.
- Investigation: School staff will review the facts, consider context, and gather appropriate information.
- Interview: Students have the right to explain their perspective and share relevant information before a disciplinary decision is made.
- Consequences: The school administration will determine consequences and disciplinary actions based on the information gathered and in reference to the Accountability Matrix. These consequences will be communicated to the family.
- Right to Appeal: For building-based decisions, contact the building principal. For Student Services-based decisions, students and families have the right to appeal or request a formal hearing, as outlined in district policy.
Our goal is to maintain safe, supportive learning environments while ensuring all students are treated with dignity and fairness. If you have questions about the district’s discipline policies or your child’s rights, please contact your school administrator or refer to the Responsibilities of Students. Additionally, you can contact the Department of Student Services.
Due Process That Involves Student Services
When building level interventions and parent efforts have not been successful in resolving behavior and/or attendance concerns, there are times when a conference involving the student, parents/guardians and school administrators needs to be held. There are also times when immediate disciplinary action needs to be taken for serious rule/law violations within the school building or on school grounds. There are several administrators in the Department of Student Services who are skilled in the areas of due process, discipline and current trends in student behavior to help facilitate these processes.
The purpose of a conference at the Department of Student Services is to review the basis for the suspension/referral, obtain the facts about the suspension/referral and to develop a plan so the student will have a more successful experience in school. While our goal is to have students remain in school, there are certain behaviors that could result in the consideration of consequences such as mandatory reassignment (placement at another school), long-term suspension (maximum suspension time of 19 school days) or expulsion (removal from school for the balance of the current semester, school or calendar year). These behaviors include but are not limited to: possession/use/distribution of drugs, alcohol and/or weapons on school grounds; assault against staff members/students; major acts of vandalism/theft against school/personal property at school; and repeated rule violations.
As attendance and discipline issues are reviewed during the conference, students, parents/guardians and building administrators have an opportunity to discuss their concerns and the facts about the referral to Student Services. Our goal is to devise a plan for student success. We will treat students, parents/guardians and school staff with respect as we work together on student behavior and attendance concerns.
We want to work cooperatively to help students make good decisions about school behavior, academic performance and attendance. If you have questions about due process or referral procedures, please feel free to contact your assigned building or Student Services at 402-436‑1654.
Making an Appointment with Student Services
When students are suspended and/or referred to the Department of Student Services for a conference, parents/guardians will need to contact the due process secretary at 402-436-1654 to set up an appointment with a Student Services administrator. If a student has been suspended from school (and referred to student services), a conference must be held during the time that the student is on suspension and before returning to school at any building.
