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Board opens review of discipline policy; trustees favor restorative, tiered responses and policy committee work
Summary
Trustees discussed policies 33-20 and 33-30 (student substance use and disciplinary procedures), raising concerns that exclusionary discipline can worsen outcomes; they directed administration to present the district's tiered response framework and to pursue a policy review involving mental-health partners and a board policy committee.
The board examined Policy 33-20 (student substance use) and linked Policy 33-30 during an extended discussion about how the district responds to student substance-related incidents.
Several trustees and speakers, including board member Martin and a teacher association representative, raised evidence-based concerns that suspension and expulsion as first-line responses can lead to worse outcomes, including school disengagement and increased juvenile justice contact. Trustees and the teacher representative also noted the importance of clear accountability.
Board members and staff discussed alternative responses recommended by national professional bodies: restorative practices to repair harm and keep students connected to school, trauma-informed approaches that consider underlying mental-health causes, collaborative support planning with families and counselors, and prevention and education programs. Board members pointed out that current policy language refers to "voluntary disclosure" and that the district handbooks did not clearly reflect that concept.
Direction to staff and next steps: trustees asked the administration to present the district's tiered behavior-response protocol (including how reentry after suspension is handled) and to map how district procedures align with state law. Several trustees recommended creating a policy-review working group or committee that would include mental-health partners (e.g., the Mental Health Coalition) and the Family Safety Network to develop alternatives to exclusionary discipline and ensure appropriate escalation steps.
Ending: The board did not change policy at the meeting. Trustees agreed to receive a more detailed administrative briefing and to consider policy revisions at a future date after committee review and stakeholder consultation.
