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Coombs principal highlights PBIS award, sports success and cell-phone-free initiative
Summary
Coombs Alternative Education principal Dr. Melissa Lee told the board on Jan. 23 that the school earned a Platinum PBIS implementation award, reported higher average credit completion this semester after adopting a cell-phone-free policy, and is expanding CTE and sports offerings to improve student engagement and graduation outcomes.
Dr. Melissa Lee, principal of Coombs Alternative Education, told the Banning Unified School District board on Jan. 23 that her programs have shown measurable gains after new practices and supports, including a recently implemented cell-phone‑free policy and expanded extracurricular options.
Why it matters: Alternative education and continuation programs serve students at increased risk of not graduating; improvements in credits earned, school climate and career readiness can directly affect graduation and postsecondary outcomes.
Lee said New Horizon High School and the Banning Independent Study School have aligned school missions to the district’s and set two primary goals: improve academic achievement (graduation rate and college/career readiness) and improve attendance, climate and parent engagement.
Key highlights Lee shared:
- PBIS recognition: Coombs earned the Platinum Implementation Award for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), the highest level of county recognition for implementation.
- Cell-phone-free policy and credits: Coombs instituted a cell-phone-free approach using Yondr pouches at New Horizon High School. Lee reported that, for the first semester of the school year, students earned on average seven more credits than during the prior year’s first semester.
- Athletics and extracurriculars: Coombs participates in the Serrano League with volleyball, basketball, soccer and softball. Lee said the basketball team went undefeated this season. The program also offers Esports and music/art electives, and she described partnerships that brought theater (Oregon Shakespeare Festival outreach) and CTE access (logistics, coding) to students.
- College and career readiness: Seniors complete a career-readiness portfolio, 15 hours of community service, FAFSA filing assistance and mock interviews; staff conduct exit interviews to support transitions.
Lee described supports for student engagement and wellness — counseling services, restorative practices, an MTSS team and partnerships with local organizations such as Friday Night Live and the San Gorgonio Educational Foundation — and noted professional development with Thriving University.
Trustees asked practical questions such as student ID card use and possible expansion of IDs across sites; Lee said students currently have ID cards though usage varies and the district can consider standardizing practice.
What’s next: Lee said the school will continue to expand CTE access, refine supports that improve student credits and attendance, and report outcomes to the board.
