The department is responsible for conducting the expulsion hearings for the school district. Students may be expelled for up to 80 school days. In some instances, expulsion may carry over into the next school year. 

Under the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994, students who bring firearms to school or onto school property or onto other property owned by the school district must be expelled for 1 calendar year. The superintendent may reduce the length of the expulsion on a case-by-case basis.

A student may be expelled for 1 year for bringing a knife to school or onto other school property. 

A student may also be expelled for 1 year for possessing a firearm or knife at school or on other school property when the knife or firearm was brought there by another person. The superintendent may reduce such expulsions on a case-by-case basis.     

A student may be expelled for up to 1 calendar year for making a bomb threat that is directed at a school or a school activity.