More than 17K Clark County School District middle school students suspended in 2023-2024

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Administrators in the Clark County School District are expressing concerns over student behavior at middle schools.

According to CCSD data, there were 17,363 middle schoolers suspended during the 2023-2024 school year, which was a 16% increase compared to the previous year.

“The largest infraction code that’s used for suspensions, as well as where we have the most disproportionately at the secondary level, is ‘unacceptable behavior,’” Kevin Mcpartlin, CCSD associate superintendent, said. “The problem with that one being is that it’s a very vague infraction code.”

That led the district this new school year to update its code of conduct, which lists what can get a middle or high school student suspended or expelled.

The district scrapped “unacceptable behavior,” requiring more clarity from administrators moving forward.

“[‘Unacceptable behavior’] is used in the high schools, but not in the same manner we’re seeing in the middle schools,” McPartlin said.

CCSD’s data shows out of the more than 17,000 suspensions in middle schools, there were 5,087 students suspended from Mar. 18 to May 20.

“Based on the fourth quarter and overall data, it is clear that we need to focus our efforts on the middle school level,” McPartlin said.

These were the top four middle schools with the most suspensions:

Lawrence Junior High School –   1,872
Garside Junior High School –  1,854
Gibson Middle School – 1,584
Orr Middle School – 1,479

Members of the Clark County School District board of trustees expect suspensions to go up at the beginning of this new school year, due to the introduction of the new cell phone ban policy.

CCSD high schools experienced an 18% decline in suspensions in the 2023-2024 school year compared to the previous year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.