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Highline Public Schools
15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW Burien, WA 98166

Office Hours:

Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Highline Public Schools
15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW Burien, WA 98166

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Grievance and Appeal Processes

Grievance

A grievance is when a student has been disciplined at school, but has not be suspended or expelled.

Any student or parent/guardian who is aggrieved by the imposition of discipline, including a classroom exclusion, shall have the right to an informal conference with the school principal for the purpose of resolving the grievance. The employee whose action is being grieved shall be notified of the initiation of a grievance as soon as reasonably possible and, if appropriate, be involved in the conference. During such conference the student, parent or guardian may be questioned by school authorities and is entitled to question school personnel involved in the matter being grieved.

In the event the grievance is not resolved at the building level, the student, parent or guardian, upon two school business days’ prior notice, shall have the right to present a written and/or oral grievance to the Superintendent or designee.   

If the grievance is still not resolved, the student, parent or guardian, shall have the right to present a written or oral grievance to either (a) a 2-person subcommittee of the Board or (b) a meeting of the full Board in an open public meeting. The student, parent or guardian must request a chance to present the grievance to the Board or a Board subcommittee within two school business days after receiving the decision of the Superintendent or designee. In either case the Board shall notify the student, parent or guardian of its response to the grievance within 10 school business days after the date of the meeting. The discipline action shall continue notwithstanding the implementation of the grievance procedure set forth in this section unless the principal or his or her designee elects to postpone such action. 

To Present a Grievance

To present a grievance call 206-631-3070 or send a written request to the Office of the Superintendent, 15675 Ambaum Blvd SW, Burien, 98166.

Appeal and Review Process

Depending on the type of discipline the appeal and review process changes. Please see below for how to appeal. 

Emergency Removal

Emergency removal is the removal of a student from school because the student's presence poses an immediate and continuing danger to other students or school personnel, or an immediate and continuing threat of material and substantial disruption of the educational process.

Short-Term Suspension - In-School and Out-of-School Suspensions

A "short-term suspension" is a suspension (in-school or out-of-school) for any portion of a calendar day up to but not exceeding 10 consecutive school days.  All short-term suspensions and the reasons for them must be reported in writing to the Superintendent or designee within 24 hours.  Entering data into Synergy constitutes reporting to the Superintendent.  Parents/guardians should be contacted prior to suspending the student.

Long-Term Suspension & Expulsion

A "long-term suspension" is a suspension for a duration of between 11-60 days (grade 5), between 11-90 days (grades 6-8), or between 11-60 days (grades 9-12).  All long-term suspensions and expulsions and the reasons for them must be reported in writing to the Superintendent or designee within 24 hours.  Entering data into Synergy constitutes reporting to the Superintendent.  Parents/guardians should be contacted prior to suspending a student.