Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Discipline topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Richland Two reports spike in classroom misconduct; family intervention services expands with graduate interns
Summary
District student services officials reported higher rates of level‑1 misconduct and described intervention strategies; family intervention services welcomed 14 graduate counseling interns to support families and help reduce suspensions and expulsions.
Richland Two student services staff reported a rise in conduct incidents during parts of the prior school year and outlined prevention and intervention steps, and Family Intervention Services described expanded counseling capacity through graduate interns.
Executive Director of Student Services Matt Sherman and his team presented discipline trends across four quarters, showing that level‑1 incidents — tardiness, cutting class, disruptive behavior and refusal to obey — were the most frequent. Sherman emphasized that persistent level‑1 incidents can escalate into level‑2 or level‑3 conduct, which carry more serious disciplinary consequences.
“We have a clear opportunity to have the most impact on these level‑1 incidents,” Sherman said, citing classroom management, coaching and building practices as levers to reduce minor misconduct before it escalates.
Student services also emphasized the ABC (antecedent‑behavior‑consequence) model and the importance of documenting antecedents to reduce referrals. Staff said administrators’ improved coding and professional development on behavior definitions are among planned steps.
Family Intervention Services
Diana Taylor, coordinator for Family Intervention Services, said the program uses a non‑pathologizing approach and that last year the program received more than 1,200 referrals; roughly 60% of referrals came through a hearing officer and 40% were voluntary. Taylor said a staff of six is supplemented by 14 graduate counseling interns from local universities to provide free counseling to families, with extended hours to accommodate before‑ and after‑work visits.
Board response and next steps
Board members praised the student services team and asked staff to consider community outreach and materials for families (for example, distribution at back‑to‑school bookbag events). Members suggested using the program model as a community resource and to train board members as appropriate. Staff said they will continue routine walkthroughs, provide targeted professional development, and scale supports by school based on needs.
Why it matters
District leaders linked frequent level‑1 behaviors to classroom‑level practices and noted that effective interventions and staff training can reduce suspensions and expulsions. Family Intervention Services’ expansion of interns increases counseling capacity and access for families without increasing program fees.
Ending note
Staff said they will continue to monitor trends, provide training and return to the board with recommended supports as needed.
