Board approves revised discipline matrices, adds restorative-practice points to student handbook

The Harlem UD 122 Board of Education on May 19 approved revisions to the district's elementary and secondary discipline matrices and authorized the inclusion of restorative-practice points in the student handbook.

The elementary matrix change reflects grade-configuration updates after the district removed sixth grade from elementary buildings; the secondary matrix removal reflected that the district no longer uses Saturday school as a disciplinary option, district presenters said.

Michelle Lark, director of curriculum and instruction, told the board the restorative-practice points were piloted during the year and staff recommended formal adoption so the approach could be included in the handbook and applied consistently. "We've piloted it as a program. We'd like to ask for board approval so we can get it in the handbook and everything for this upcoming school year," Lark said.

Why it matters: the changes codify how disciplinary responses will be applied next school year and add restorative practice as a documented option for behavior management across district schools.

Board action and implementation: The board approved both matrices and the restorative points program by roll-call motion. Staff indicated that the primary edits were removal of sixth grade from the elementary matrix, elimination of Saturday school from the secondary matrix, and the formal adoption of restorative-practice points as a recorded disciplinary option.

Context: The district said restorative-practice points were already used in a pilot and will now be incorporated into formal procedures and student materials so teachers, families and administrators have consistent expectations.

Following approval, district staff will update handbooks and communicate the changes to families before the 2025'026 school year.