In recent years, the Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD) has come under scrutiny for its questionable handling of student expulsions. One of the most troubling patterns that has emerged is the district’s practice of expelling students without obtaining the necessary vote from the governing board, a clear violation of Education Code Section 48918, which mandates that a governing board vote be held before a student can be expelled. This lack of due process raises serious concerns about the legal and ethical implications for CNUSD, as well as the harm done to the students and their families.
The Legal Requirements for Expulsion Decisions
Under California Education Code Section 48918, school districts are required to follow a strict process when expelling a student. The code clearly states that before a student is expelled, the governing board must hold a hearing and vote on the expulsion. The law is designed to ensure that expulsions are not decided unilaterally by administrators and that there is a fair, impartial review of the case by the elected board members who represent the interests of the community.
Yet, in several instances, CNUSD has violated this legal requirement by expelling students before the governing board has voted on the matter. This is a blatant breach of the law, undermining the due process rights of students and leaving them vulnerable to decisions that may not be fair or just.
Expulsion Without a Vote: A Pattern of Disregard for Due Process
The most disturbing aspect of this practice is that CNUSD has expelled students without the proper legal procedures in place. In some cases, students have been expelled from school, and their educational opportunities have been stripped away, all without the necessary approval from the governing board. These expulsions, which are meant to be a last resort for the most serious offenses, have been carried out in violation of the district’s own policies and the law.
This lack of adherence to the expulsion process is troubling on multiple levels. First, it deprives students of their right to a fair and impartial review of the decision. When a governing board is not involved in the process, there is no opportunity for independent oversight, and the decision is left in the hands of school administrators who may have biases or conflicts of interest. Second, it undermines the trust between the community and the school district. Parents and students rely on the governing board to represent their interests and ensure that decisions are made fairly and in accordance with the law. By bypassing this process, CNUSD erodes the trust of the community it serves.
The Impact on Students and Families
The consequences of being expelled without a board vote are far-reaching for students and their families. Expulsion is a serious matter that can have a lasting impact on a student’s academic future and their overall well-being. Students who are expelled often face difficulties reintegrating into the school system, and they may struggle to find alternative educational options.
In addition to the academic consequences, an expulsion can carry a social stigma that can affect a student’s reputation and future opportunities. Without the opportunity for a fair hearing and an impartial decision by the governing board, students are left to face the consequences of a decision that may have been made hastily or without proper consideration.
These issues were brought to the attention of the governing board, but members, including President Stacy Nicola, Vice President Chris Raahauge, Mary Helen Ybarra, Anna Coriddi-Meza, and Jami Merchant seemed not to care at all; and when confronted with the problem, they voted to sustain and endorse the districts pre-emptive actions against students. The Riverside County Office of Education inquired with CNUSD as to weather or not the Board has ceded their authority to the district offices, and CNUSD simply answered NO, and claimed these were simply clerical errors cause by templated letters and a Printer and they claimed to have an engineer working on the printer problem. It was an obvious lie in order to coverup their illegal activities.
The Need for Accountability and Reform
It is clear that CNUSD’s practice of expelling students without the approval of the governing board is both illegal and harmful. The district must be held accountable for its actions and must take steps to ensure that expulsions are conducted in accordance with the law. This includes ensuring that all expulsions are voted on by the governing board and that students are given the due process they are entitled to under the law.
Furthermore, CNUSD must examine its internal policies and practices to prevent such violations from occurring in the future. School districts are entrusted with the responsibility of providing students with a safe and supportive learning environment, and that responsibility must be taken seriously. Expulsions should only occur when absolutely necessary, and they should be based on a fair and transparent process that respects the rights of students and their families.
Conclusion: A Call for Change
The recent pattern of illegal expulsions in CNUSD must be addressed. By expelling students without the necessary vote from the governing board, the district is violating the law and depriving students of their fundamental rights. It is time for CNUSD to reform its expulsion procedures, ensuring that all expulsions are carried out in accordance with Education Code Section 48918 and that students are treated fairly throughout the process.
The district must also work to rebuild the trust of the community by being transparent, accountable, and committed to following the law. Every student deserves a fair chance to succeed, and it is crucial that school districts like CNUSD uphold their responsibility to protect the rights of their students and provide them with a fair and equitable education.