Hearing Officer Services

The Vendor is required to provide hearing officers to conduct administrative due process hearings involving employee dismissal, employee disciplinary actions, student long-term suspensions, and student expulsions.
- Employee dismissal and disciplinary hearings
• Conduct hearings involving:
• Dismissal of classified employees.
• Suspension without pay.
• Employee misconduct investigations.
• Employee appeals and grievances when assigned by the district.
• Other personnel matters requiring an independent hearing officer.
• Ensure all parties are afforded procedural due process, including:
• Notice of allegations.
• Opportunity to present evidence.
• Opportunity to call witnesses.
• Opportunity to cross-examine witnesses.
• Representation by legal counsel if permitted by law or policy.
• Maintain decorum and order during proceedings.
• Rule upon procedural matters and admissibility of evidence.
• Create and maintain an official hearing record.
• Prepare written findings of fact, conclusions, and recommendations for governing board consideration.
• Submit recommendations within timelines established by the district.
- Student expulsion and long-term suspension hearings
• Conduct student disciplinary hearings involving:
• Expulsions.
• Long-term suspensions.
• Appeals assigned by the governing board.
• Conduct hearings in accordance §15-843 and governing board policies governing student discipline.
• State law authorizes governing boards to designate hearing officers to hear evidence, prepare a record, and make recommendations regarding student expulsions.
• Ensure due process protections are provided, including:
• Proper notice of hearing.
• Opportunity to be heard.
• Presentation of evidence.
• Witness testimony.
• Cross-examination of witnesses.
• Representation by legal counsel.
• Administer hearings in executive session or open session as directed by the governing board and consistent with state law.
• Maintain an official hearing record, including exhibits and hearing recordings.
• Prepare written findings of fact and recommendations for governing board action.