The Southern Poverty Law Center has accused the Mobile County (Ala.)Public School System of violating the constitutional rights of students by suspending them for months at a time over minor misbehavior without giving parents and guardians an opportunity to defend them. The center has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of six students who have collectively missed more than 445 school days this academic year because of suspensions for apparent minor misbehavior such as un-tucked shirts, tardiness or failing to carry a school ID. The suit contends that district administrators failed to provide any formal notice to the students' parents or guardians about the grounds for the suspensions or provide an opportunity to challenge the disciplinary action.
Read the lawsuit. (PDF)
