How Alberta Schools Respond to Serious Safety Concerns

When a serious incident occurs in our schools, it is natural that many families wonder: What happens next? How does our school keep everyone safe?

While we are legally required to protect individual privacy and cannot publicly share the disciplinary circumstances related to specific students, we can explain how Alberta's Education Act guides our response to threatening situations.

The Suspension Process

Under Section 36 of the Alberta Education Act, a principal may suspend a student if the student's conduct is in conflict with Sections 31 and 33(2) of the Act, or is harmful to the physical or mental well-being of others in the school (Section 36). A principal may also suspend a student who has distributed an intimate image of another person.

A suspension can be for up to five school days, providing the school with an immediate means of responding to serious concerns and protecting students and staff while a fuller assessment of the conduct in question takes place.

When the Situation Warrants More

Prior to the end of a student’s suspension, Section 37 of the Education Act allows a principal to recommend expulsion if the student has displayed an attitude of wilful, blatant, and repeated refusal to comply with Sections 31 and 33(2) of the Education Act; has distributed an intimate image of another person; or has engaged in conduct that is harmful to the physical or mental well-being of others in the school, regardless of whether that conduct occurred within the school building or during the school day.

If, during the investigative process, the information gathered by the principal supports a recommendation for expulsion, the matter then proceeds to the Board of Trustees for consideration.

The Board Discipline Hearing

Once the Board has received the recommendation for an expulsion, a Special Meeting of the Board must be convened to consider the matter. In accordance with Section 37 of the Education Act, the expulsion hearing must be held within 10 school days from the first day of the original suspension. The student remains suspended pending the Board’s decision and, depending on the hearing date, the suspension may therefore extend beyond the initial five days to a maximum of 10 school days.

During the Special Meeting, the Board moves in camera to conduct the expulsion hearing. The principal presents the rationale and supporting evidence for the recommendation, including the significant impact of the student’s conduct on individual students or staff, a group of students or staff, or the overall sense of safety and well-being throughout the school. The student and their parents are also provided an opportunity to respond to the information presented, to address the Board, and to provide any additional information they wish the trustees to consider before a decision is made.

Following the hearing, all participants are dismissed except the trustees, who deliberate in private and consider the information presented. The Board then determines whether the student will be expelled or permitted to return to school with appropriate conditions. It is important to note that expulsion hearings are operated under civil law standards, not criminal law. This means the standard of proof required is a balance of probabilities, or a consistent pattern of evidence.

If the student is not expelled, a re-entry meeting is held to communicate the conditions for the student’s return, as established by the principal. These conditions may include mandatory check-ins, movement restrictions, strict behavioural expectations, safety measures, and other supports designed to promote the student’s successful return while maintaining a safe and supportive school environment.

If the student is expelled, the Board provides the student and their parents with written notice of its decision, including the reasons for and the duration of the expulsion, and directs the Superintendent to arrange appropriate alternative supervised educational services outside the school setting during the period of expulsion.

All principals across the Peace River School Division manage serious safety concerns and school threats in accordance with the Education Act, Board Policy, and Divisional Administrative Procedures. The safety and well-being of students, staff, and the broader school community remain the PRSD's highest priority.