(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), an employee of the board, excluding the secretary and district supervisors, may be removed, discharged or reduced in pay or position only for cause and after being given the reasons therefore in writing and afforded an opportunity to be heard in answer thereto.
(b) Exception.--An employee may be suspended without pay and without hearing for a period not exceeding 30 days, but the reason or reasons for the suspension must be given to the employee by the board in writing.
(c) Successive suspensions.--There shall not be any successive suspensions of the same employee under this section.