Student Suspensions Increase in Baltimore Schools

The Baltimore Sun reports that nearly 8,500 students were suspended last year. That's up from 6,760 in the 2014-2015 school year.

City Schools CEO Sonja Santelises started in the position in July. She says the district is examining what lead to the increase under her predecessor, Gregory Thornton. She says the increase is "disconcerting."

Before last year, suspensions in Baltimore had been on a fairly steady decline. In 2004, the district suspended more than 26,000 students. By 2009, that number was cut in half.

Suspensions were up statewide last year by 11 percent. Prince George's County was the only district that had a higher number of suspensions than Baltimore City schools.