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Public commenters urge subject endorsement for theater and press for literacy supports and restorative practices
Summary
During the public comment period, student-teacher Julia Catton urged that theater and speech be moved from supplemental to subject endorsement under Rule 24; local educators and community organizers spoke about literacy, family engagement and restorative practices; another commenter raised audit and behavioral-policy concerns.
Four members of the public addressed the State Board during the public comment period on April 4, raising topics that included teacher endorsements for theater and speech, early-grade literacy, restorative approaches to discipline and concerns about auditing and school behavioral policies.
Julia Catton, a Bellevue resident and student teacher at Burke High School, asked the board to revise Rule 24 so that theater and speech become subject endorsements rather than supplemental endorsements. She said subject endorsements would better prepare educators to teach performance techniques, stagecraft, directing and theatrical design and help sustain strong theater programs statewide.
Dr. LaDonna Griffin, an educator with three decades of experience in Omaha’s North community, urged stronger literacy supports and emphasized the emotional and family engagement components of early readers’ success. She said educators often fill caregiving roles and called for community collaboration to help children thrive.
Community organizer Leo Lewis II described work in North Omaha addressing disproportionate disciplinary outcomes for African American students and promoting restorative practices. He said his community group and partners created a book, community training and parent-focused materials aimed at reducing suspensions and supporting reintegration.
Marybeth Hevron, an Omaha taxpayer and observer, raised questions tied to agenda items: she cited the recent audit finding, asked about a reintegration checklist and whether a “designated buddy” in a reintegration plan could be a student, and noted that archived meeting videos on YouTube include ads that the board might consider addressing.
Ending: Board members acknowledged the public comments. Staff and committee chairs noted the topics and said related items—Rule 24 endorsements, literacy and the model behavioral intervention policy—are on the board’s work plan for further committee consideration and future meetings.
