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The Berkeley Unified School District has settled a class-action lawsuit that alleged the district abused the constitutional rights of students of color by expelling them from high school without proper hearings. "We of all people understand the concerns over school safety. We just also understand the need to honor kids' constitutional rights," said Bill Koski, a Stanford University law professor. He is director of the school's Youth and Education Law Clinic that worked on the case. Students sued the district in August 2004 and the two sides settled Monday, Koski said. The agreement allows the three named teenage plaintiffs to return to school. Summer McNeil, Juan Munoz and Yarman Smith will receive tutoring and other services to help them make up credits, Koski said. In addition, the school must work on reducing the disproportionate number of African American and Latino students affected by discipline policies. The case must go before federal district court before the settlement is made final. [more]