School Suspension Data Released

Updated: Thursday, January 31 2013, 12:59 PM EST

Data recently obtained by News 13 shows mixed results about student suspensions in Buncombe County Schools. For example, in the first half of this school year long term suspensions, which average at least 37 days, are down compared to the same time last year. But short term suspensions averaging at least 2 days are up for the same period.

"Certainly we have a lot more work to do as a school system," said Dr. Robbie Adell, safe schools director for BCS. Adell says a leading cause of higher suspension rates is weapons possession on campus.

"We've seen a surge in students bringing pocket knives to school," said Adell. But Adell cautioned most of those cases involve students who simply forgot a pocket knife in a backpack.

More reasons getting students kicked out of school include sexual assault, drug possession, fighting, gang activity, and attacks on teachers. "What we're seeing is that kids are more aggessive even at the elementary age," Adell said.

Oftentimes when students get suspended from school for fighting or other violent acts, they wind up at The Mediation Center. "Typically we see and work with a lot of students for those issues," said Christy Bridges, director of youth mediation.

"The goal is to help all the students have a successful school year and hopefully deter any future conflicts," according to Bridges.

School leaders say the silver lining is higher graduation rates because students may continue studies while suspended. Said Adell, "we're working with them when we have to send them home."

By: Mario Boone, mlboone@wlos.com

Follow on Twitter: @marioboone

Suspension statistics for 8/2012-1/2013 provided by BCS:
Assault involving use of a weapon


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 1
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Assault resulting in serious injury


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 3
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Sex assault (no rape/sexual offense)


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 4
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Alcohol Possession


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 10
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Assault on school personel no serious injury


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 3
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 1Burning of a school building


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 1
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Distribution of a Prescription Drug


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 1
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Possession - marijuana - of controlled substance


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 24
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Possession of another person's prescription Drug


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 1
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Possession of controlled substance (other)


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 3
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Possession of weapon


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 52
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Use of alcoholic beverages


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 3
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Use of controlled substances


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 10
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Use of Narcotics


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 4
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Affray (G.S. 14-33)


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 8
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 3Agressive Behavior


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 99
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Assault on non-student, no weapon, no injury


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 3
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Assault on Student


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 33
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 1Assault on student, no weapon, no injury


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 17
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Being in an unauthorized area


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 13
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Bullying


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 21
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Bus Misbehavior


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 6
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Cell phone use


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 12
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Communicating Threats


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 36
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Cutting Class


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 22
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Disorderly Conduct


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 10
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Disrespect of faculty/staff


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 110
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 1Disruptive Behavior


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 162
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Excessive tardiness


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 69
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0False Fire Alarm


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 3
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Fighting


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 225
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Gang Activity


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 5
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Harassment - Verbal


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 14
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Harassment - Sexual


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 9
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Hazing


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 8
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Honor Code Violation


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 3
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Inappropriate Items on School Property


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 24
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Inappropriate Language/Disrespect


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 115
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Insubordination


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 132
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 1Late to Class


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 3
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Leaving Class Without Permission


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 22
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Leaving School Without Permission


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 39
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Misuse of School technology


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 5
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Mutual Sexual Contact between two students


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 6
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0No Immunizations


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 1
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Other


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 24
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Other school defined offense


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 12
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Possession of chemical and drug paraphernalia


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 3
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Possession of counterfeit items


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 2
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Possession of student's own prescription


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 7
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Possession of tobacco


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 27
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Property Damage


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 11
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Skipping Class


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 44
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Skipping School


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 9
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Theft


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 52
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Use of Counterfeit Items


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 1
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Use of Tobacco


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 66
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Violent Assault not resulting in serious injury


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 4
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0Under the influence of controlled substances


Number of Students with Short Term Suspensions: 11
Number of Students with Long Term Suspensions: 0School Suspension Data Released