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Mobile Schools Settle Lawsuit Over Suspensions

Press-Register file/Victor Calhoun

The Mobile County school system has agreed not to suspend students for minor infractions such as not tucking a shirt in or being late to class.

   The agreement was part of a settlement of a lawsuit filed by the Montgomery-based Southern Poverty Law Center challenging the Mobile system's past practice of sometimes giving students lengthy suspensions for minor infractions.

   The settlement requires approval of the superintendent for a proposed suspension of longer than 20 school days.

   The settlement came in a lawsuit filed on behalf of seven Mobile students.

   The lawsuit alleged that students were suspended for more than 10 days for minor infractions, with some students suspended for 40 days or more.

   SPLC attorney Jadine Johnson says the agreement will keep students in school and help keep schools safe.

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