Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Discipline topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent and student‑support director outline multi‑year plan to reduce discipline disproportionality
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Bragan and director Willie Howard presented a multi‑part plan to reduce disciplinary disparities and expand restorative and PBIS practices; the board asked for clearer timelines, standardized data collection, and accountability measures.
Superintendent Dr. Bragan and Willie Howard, director of student support and intervention, presented a divisionwide plan aimed at reducing disproportionality in student discipline and expanding proactive, restorative approaches.
Howard described root causes the review identified: inconsistent early interventions, uneven implementation of restorative practices and PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports), implicit bias and limited data transparency. The administration’s action recommendations included expanding PBIS with fidelity, appointing tiered intervention specialists (TIS) to lead restorative practice coordination, strengthening classroom management coaching, creating alternative discipline pathways and mentoring programs, expanding social‑emotional learning curriculum, and conducting school equity audits.
The presentation called for a standardized, real‑time discipline data system, monthly PBS reporting from each school, a divisionwide discipline data review committee, and use of data to prioritize supports. Howard proposed requiring functional behavior assessments and behavior intervention plans (BIPs) for chronically disciplined students, piloting restorative practice tools (Panorama Ed) and monitoring outcomes, and building staff capacity for consistency in reporting and responses.
Board members supported the goals but pressed for clearer sequencing, named responsibilities and timelines. Several trustees emphasized that any new restorative or alternative pathways must not replace enforcement for serious incidents (weapons, vaping, hate speech) and asked how the proposed approaches would interface with existing policies and automatic‑suspension provisions. Dr. Bragan said the effort is a long‑term program, acknowledged the December timeline goal was ambitious, and asked the board to hold the administration accountable for measurable progress; he said many recommendations would take more than six months to implement.
Next steps the administration listed included appointing accountability leads, conducting equity audits, revising the code of conduct and progressive discipline matrix, implementing a standardized discipline data system, expanding PBIS and SEL programs, and creating an advisory committee of stakeholders.
No formal board action was taken; trustees asked for a follow‑up report with clear ownership, schedules and measurable milestones.
