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How Long Can a Florida Principal Suspend My Child?

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The 10-day limit on a principal's suspension

Under Fla. Stat. 1006.09, a principal can suspend a student for up to 10 school days per incident. In-school suspension and other alternatives are encouraged instead of sending a student home. If the school wants to remove your child for longer than that, it cannot do so through a simple principal's suspension.

When it becomes an expulsion

Expulsion — removal beyond what a principal can order — can only be imposed by the school board, and only after your child receives notice and a hearing under your district's own procedures (Fla. Stat. 1006.09). Every district must also have a code of student conduct that spells out the rules, the consequences and the procedures, and the school must notify you of a suspension and the reasons (Fla. Stat. 1006.07). Ask for a copy of your district's code — it controls exactly how the hearing works.

Zero-tolerance policies still require case-by-case review

Even under a zero-tolerance policy, Fla. Stat. 1006.13 requires that each case be considered individually, and the school cannot require a referral to law enforcement for petty misconduct. If your child's case was treated as automatic, ask the school to show how it applied case-by-case consideration.

Due process before a suspension

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Goss v. Lopez requires that a student get notice of the charge and an informal chance to be heard before even a short suspension, and a more formal process for longer removals. This is the constitutional floor — your district's code of conduct may provide more.

If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan

Special rules apply under IDEA. A removal of more than 10 consecutive school days — or a pattern of shorter removals that adds up — is a change of placement. That triggers a manifestation determination review within 10 school days. If the conduct was caused by the disability, or the school failed to implement the IEP, your child generally returns to school and the team addresses the behavior instead of continuing the removal. Services must continue during longer removals. Section 504 offers similar protections. See the U.S. Dept. of Education's IDEA discipline procedures for details.

What to do next

This is general information, not legal advice, and it can be wrong — always confirm the process with your district's code of student conduct and, for a serious matter, with a professional. A free tool can read the actual notice you received and your child's account of what happened, and tell you which rule applies, the deadline to respond, the records to request, and whether the manifestation-review clock has started. If you qualify for free help, FloridaLawHelp.org has education-law assistance.

School Discipline Response FL explains Florida school-discipline law and district procedures in plain language; it can be wrong, and it is not legal advice. It never names other students. For expulsion, arrest or a special-education dispute, contact legal aid or an attorney. Nothing you paste is stored.