The Trust established the Hearing Officer Training Program in 2008. This free program helps current and prospective hearing officers provide a fair, unbiased hearing for students facing expulsion or long-term suspension.

The training is held annually and is facilitated by hearing officers and attorneys with extensive experience in conducting student disciplinary hearings. Participants who successfully complete the program (and who meet additional qualifications) are added to the panel of Trust-approved hearing officers.

The Trust highly recommends that districts use only hearing officers on the Trust panel, as these individuals:  

• are required to attend hearing officer training every three years, ensuring that their information and skills are periodically refreshed;
• have a working knowledge of Arizona statutes related to student expulsion and long-term suspension proceedings;
• have completed five mentoring sessions with a more experienced hearing officer; and
• have signed an agreement to charge no more than $80 per hour plus travel costs, with no minimum hour requirement.

Click here for the list of Trust-approved hearing officers.

If you have any questions or know of someone interested in participating in Trust hearing officer training, please contact Ashley Perkins at aperkins@the-trust.org.

Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person events have been suspended at this time. The Trust will, however, be hosting a virtual hearing officer training in the summer of 2021. Details will be announced via email.