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Gainesville school officials implement new juvenile code changes
Schools are suspending fewer students
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Program Director Stacy Patrick works with Gainesville Learning Academy students. The school has allowed students avoid expulsion from class at Gainesville High School and continue their studies. - photo by NAT GURLEY
Gainesville schools have eliminated about 700 days of out-of-school suspension for students this academic year after implementing changes from the state juvenile code. The revised code was adopted by the Georgia General Assembly last year, with a Jan. 1 implementation date, and aims to reduce recidivism among truant, drug-using and other students with behavioral problems. The goal is prevention rather than suspension or prosecution.