Student Services

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Contact Information

Joyce Dearing
Hearing Officer

Brooks Harlow
Hearing Officer

Kim Derrick
Discipline Administrative Assistant

Board Policies

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Discipline Hearing Procedures

1. The hearing shall be closed unless the parent/legal guardian requests in writing that it may be open.
2. Record of the Hearing: The District Hearing Officer shall be responsible for making a record of any information orally presented at the hearing. The District Hearing
3. Officer should keep statements and other written material presented to the Hearing Officer on file.
4. Administrator’s Presentation of Statements and Records: It shall be the administrator’s duty to present to the District Hearing Officer the signed statements of all persons having information about the student’s misconduct. The school shall submit a copy of the notice given to the student and parents.
5. Use of Witness(es): The hearing shall consist of a review of the statements and records presented by the administrator under subsection three (3) above including any witness(es) statements.
6. Examination of Witness(es) Statements: The District Hearing Officer, the administrator, the student, the parent/legal guardian or his/her representative may question witness(es) statements, about any matters relevant to the charge against the student and the proper disposition of the matter. The District Hearing Officer has the authority to limit unproductively long or irrelevant questioning.
7. Role of the Parent/Legal Guardian: The parent/legal guardian should be present at the hearing and should have an opportunity to make a statement to the panel on their feelings about the proper disposition of the case and to answer questions. Any statement they make need not be filed with the administrator before the hearing. They should be able to advise the student during the hearing.
8. Adult Representation in Addition to the Parent/Legal Guardian: If the student or his/her parent/legal guardian thinks his/her interest can be protected better by the presence of another adult in addition to the parent/legal guardian, the student may bring another adult to the hearing. The non-parent/legal guardian may be an attorney.
9. The attorney is primarily present to ensure that the student’s due process rights are not violated. The attorney is subject to following the Discipline Hearing Procedures.

Data

Visit South Carolina's Discipline Data for Districts & Schools

Dropout Prevention Overview

For dropout prevention, we work in collaboration with schools, parents, and the community to develop interventions and services that prevent students from dropping out of school. We work to identify and ensure that students in jeopardy of dropping out of school receive the support and resources needed to achieve academic success and graduate from high school.

Facts about Dropping Out of School

• High school dropouts are eligible for only 10% of jobs.
• A person 25 years old or older without a high school diploma is twice as likely to be living in poverty, as compared to a person 25 years old or older with a high school diploma.
• Dropouts have a life expectancy of six to nine years less than high school graduates.
• Dropouts earn over one million dollars less than college graduates during their working years.
• Dropouts are more likely to be involved in risky behaviors such as drug use and violence.
• Of state prison inmates, 75% do not have a high school diploma.
• Of federal prison inmates almost 59% do not have a high school diploma.

Benefits of Staying In School

• Prepares a person for life and is a safe place to learn that choices have consequences.
• Teaches independence and builds your knowledge, skills, and confidence.
• Builds decision-making skills.
• Creates job opportunities.
• Helps you recognize your talents.
• Encourages a lifetime of learning and demonstrates tenacity.
• Helps you be a better role model.
• Is a prerequisite for many careers.
• Helps build communication skills.

External Links

Please note: Dorchester School District Two is not responsible for the content on these external websites.

South Carolina Department of Education

• Dropout Data
• Dropout Rates

National

• America's Promise Alliance
• National Dropout Prevention Center

Interagency coordination is the coordination of services for students who are served by multiple agencies. It is designed to meet the needs of the child within his or her family or in an out-of-home placement, and in the school and the community.

Please note: Dorchester School District Two is not responsible for the content on these external websites.

• South Carolina Department of Social Services
• Department of Juvenile Justice
• Dorchester Alcohol and Drug Commission 
• Dorchester County Sheriff's Office
• North Charleston Police
• Summerville Police

Students without a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence can be considered homeless under the McKinney-Vento law. 

Learn more about McKinney-Vento

read our Medical Homebound information

Access our Transfer Request form

RISE Academy is an alternative education program designed to promote the academic and social development of students in grades 6-12, who have been assigned to our program by a hearing officer.  Participation in the alternative school program is the last chance option in lieu of expulsion.  Attending RISE Academy is a privilege and not an educational right.

Visit the RISE Academy website

Please note: Dorchester School District Two is not responsible for the content on these external websites.

South Carolina School Safety

• Health & Safety Information
• Discipline Related Reports
  • Incident Management Training
  • Truancy, Suspension and Expulsion Data
• SC Safe Schools
• Bullying

Visit our School Safety page

Visit our Behavioral/Emotional Support Referrals page

Visit our Student Supports page