Who has the authority to suspend a student?

The principal or the principal's designees hold the authority to suspend a student because they are responsible for maintaining discipline and ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment within the school. This authority typically stems from district policies and state education regulations, which designate school administrators as the officials who can make decisions regarding student behavior and discipline.

The principal, or those who are officially delegated this responsibility, has received training in managing student conduct and understands educational law and district policies. This allows them to make informed decisions regarding disciplinary actions that ensure students are treated fairly while adhering to established guidelines.

In contrast, other roles, such as teachers or staff members, may enforce discipline but do not typically have the authority to impose a suspension without administrator approval. Meanwhile, the superintendent usually oversees the school district and may be involved in broader disciplinary policies rather than specific individual cases. School board members also focus on governance and policy rather than day-to-day student discipline, emphasizing the need for administrative involvement in such decisions.