CCSD Disciplinary System

DOWNLOAD: Printable Discipline Hearing Overview

Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, all student discipline hearings will be conducted by the CCSD Discipline Hearing panel.  A discipline hearing is scheduled for students whose behavior violation(s) warrants a student discipline hearing. 

About the CCSD Discipline Hearing Panel

The CCSD Discipline Hearing Panels were created as a result of S.C. House Bill 4014, 2025 Section (S.C. 2025) abolishes the use of constituent boards.  The CCSD Discipline Hearing panel is supervised by the CCSD Superintendent and managed by the Associate Superintendent of the Department of School Support (DoSS). 

The CCSD has two 3-member hearing panels. Hearing panel members may have a background in education, law enforcement, prevention and intervention services, community outreach, etc.  All members are trained to understand the critical role they serve in ensuring due process, understanding and upholding the CCSD Code of Conduct/PDP, and deciding student discipline placement options for the violated behavior(s).  

What to Expect?

• Once a discipline hearing has been scheduled, the hearing will be heard by one of the two CCSD Hearing Panels.  
• Each CCSD Hearing Panel will consist of three members.  
• Discipline hearings will be offered both in person and virtually for parents to choose.
• Hearings are scheduled Monday-Thursday from 9:00 AM-2:00 PM.  Fridays are reserved for emergency hearings. 
• Evening hearings are offered one night each week for families who are not able to attend a daytime hearing.
• Student placement decisions are usually made the same day as the hearing, or within 15 SCHOOL days of the hearing being conducted.

What is Due Process?

Due process in student discipline hearings means ensuring students are treated fairly and have a right to defend themselves before any significant disciplinary action is taken.

All CCSD disciplinary hearings will lawfully afford the student/parent of the following: 

• The right to be represented by legal counsel at the expense of the family.
• Notification in writing of the behavior violation, as well as the time, date, and location of the hearing, and given a reasonable opportunity to attend.  All written/verbal communication notice must be in the language best understood by the parent/guardian.
• The right to examine the evidence (to include all videos, if applicable), present witnesses, and challenge the evidence against them.  Parents have the right to view the video at the time of the incident, at a scheduled date and time agreed by all parties, or at least no later than 3 days before the scheduled hearing. (S.C. Code 59-63-240).
• The student, parent, and/or school administration has the right to appeal the decision made by the CCSD Hearing Panel to the CCSD Office of Investigations and Compliance within 10 SCHOOL days.

Presentation and Appearance Expectations:

The CCSD Discipline Hearing is a formal process. Appropriate behavior and dress decorum are expected for all parties involved. Violation of this expectation could lead to  a removal of the disruptive party, the hearing moving forward in absentia of the disruptive party, or if warranted, a rescheduling of the hearing.  CCSD staff will enforce the expectation that the hearing is a formal process provided in an environment that is safe and conducive for all parties.  

What is Absentia?

"In absentia" means the hearing proceeds in the absence of the student or their parent/guardian, even if they are required or expected to attend.

When Can a Hearing Be Held “in absentia”?

If all due process notifications have been followed, and the student or parent/guardian is not present for the scheduled discipline hearing, the CCSD Hearing Panel may determine to conduct the hearing in absentia.

Legal Representation: If a family secures legal representation for the hearing, then a CCSD attorney must also be present.  If an attorney attends a hearing on behalf of or with the student without the school district’s knowledge prior to the hearing, the CCSD Hearing Panel will postpone the hearing.  The hearing will be rescheduled to allow for proper legal representation of both the student and the school district.