Warren mother files suit over her son’s expulsion

The suit said the student’s expulsion for more than six months exceeded the 80-day limit in the conduct policy.

STAFF REPORT

WARREN — A city woman has filed a lawsuit in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court against Warren city schools over her son’s being expelled for more than six months for being involved in a fight at Warren G. Harding High School in 2007.

Nakila West, of McMyler Street Northwest, filed the suit on behalf of her son, Devonte West.

The suit, filed by Atty. Gil Rucker of Warren, says Devonte was reportedly involved in a fight on or about Oct. 8, 2007 and that he was expelled from the district from Nov. 19, 2007, until June 4, 2008.

The suit, which names the school board and Superintendent Kathryn Hellweg as defendants, says the expulsion was part of the district’s zero-tolerance policy regarding fighting in the district.

The suit said the policy condones inefficient, unfair and defective procedures in the investigation, suspension or expulsion of students.

It also alleges that the district violated its own policy of expelling a student for no more than 80 days for fighting.

According to the district’s Code of Conduct, a student can be expelled for up to 80 days for a physical assault of any staff member, student or other person associated with the district.

The policy says a student can be expelled for one year if he or she possesses a firearm, weapon, dangerous instrument or look-alike weapon or makes a bomb threat or false alarm.

The suit seeks unspecified punitive and compensatory damages.

Through a spokesperson, Hellweg said she was aware of the lawsuit, but because it is a legal issue, she cannot comment.

The suit is assigned to Judge John M. Stuard.

The district’s policy came under fire last spring from black ministers who questioned whether it was proper for a student to be expelled for a fight in which the student is defending himself or herself.