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Forum candidates favor restorative practices, inclusion and stronger mental-health supports over K–3 suspensions
Summary
Candidates at the Parkway forum said suspensions for kindergarten through third grade should be a last resort; they recommended restorative practices, earlier intervention, school-based teams and more mental-health resources. Candidates also discussed inclusion for students with disabilities, gifted supports and LGBTQIA student safety.
Parkway school board candidates at a League of Women Voters forum said suspensions in kindergarten through third grade should be rare and that the district should emphasize restorative practices, earlier intervention and stronger mental-health supports.
Mia Robinson, a former school counselor and candidate, called suspensions “not effective” for young children and said she would advocate removing out-of-school suspension for K–3 and instead use restorative approaches that hold students accountable while teaching alternatives. “I prefer the use of restorative practices… It’s a learning opportunity,” Robinson said.
Jeffrey Spector said suspension should be a last resort but acknowledged school staff must balance student and staff safety. John Kilper and Ali Seacote urged data-driven reviews of discipline trends and earlier multi-tiered interventions to reduce incidents that lead to suspension.
On special education and inclusion, candidates agreed individualized education programs (IEPs) and Section 504 plans should drive decisions about whether students spend time in general education settings or smaller groups. Ali Seacote and Mia Robinson highlighted the importance of training for general-education teachers and additional paraprofessional support where appropriate. “To the extent that we can get that child integrated into the classroom… that’s when they’re going to feel welcome,” Seacote said.
Candidates also addressed supports for gifted students and for LGBTQIA+ students. They favored maintaining programs that identify and challenge advanced students and creating visible support structures and anti-bullying policies to keep LGBTQIA+ students safe. Mental-health supports and socio-emotional learning were raised repeatedly; candidates credited recent district hires but said continued attention is necessary.
No disciplinary policy changes were enacted at the forum. Candidates said operational changes would require board direction to staff and, where applicable, changes in administrative policy or budget.
