New report sheds light on suspensions at area schools

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DANVILLE (WSLS10) - A new report shows how schools across the Commonwealth are doing when it comes to student suspensions.

For the 2014-2015 school year, Danville City Schools and Franklin County Schools ranked in the top seven school systems in the state with the highest number of students suspended at least once.

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According to the report, Danville had 18.5 percent of students placed on short term suspension at least once. Franklin County had 16.9 percent.

Brunswick County Schools had the highest with 22.5 percent.

The report also showed that just over 23 percent of African American students in the Danville City Schools system were placed on short term suspension at least once, compared to 7.8 percent of white students.

About 25.5 percent of students with disabilities were placed on short term suspension at least once, compared to just over 17 percent of students without disabilities.

WSLS did reach out to Danville Superintendent Dr. Stanley Jones today but he said he did not have time to discuss the issue because of all of the graduation activities going on.

WSLS also reached out to the chairman of the school board but did not hear back.

Dr. Jones did say, though, that the school district has been working continuously this entire school year to reduce suspensions and regular updates are provided to the school board at each board meeting.