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Board hears detailed presentation on Second Chance Works program aimed at reducing suspensions
Summary
Program cofounders and staff described Second Chance Works, a school‑based intervention that offers student and parent sessions intended to regain instructional time and reduce out‑of‑school suspensions; board members raised questions about equity for parents who cannot attend.
Board members on Oct. 20 heard a presentation and Q&A on Second Chance Works, a contracted program the district uses to redirect student behavior and reduce days of out‑of‑school suspension.
Program staff described the mission as getting students back in class and noted the program is flexible: schools may purchase student sessions, parent sessions, or both; sessions can be scheduled as single or multiple days and can be adapted for elementary, middle and high school schedules. Presenters said middle and high school student groups typically run six to twelve students; elementary sessions are smaller and often split into shorter blocks.
The presentation explained parent sessions are offered to involve families in the behavior‑resolution process and that administrators retain final authority over disciplinary consequences. Presenters said administrators decide whether a student who misses a parent session will remain on the originally assigned suspension or be offered alternate consequences (in‑school suspension or a reduced period) based on circumstances. Presenters described flexibility for extenuating circumstances: sessions can be provided via Zoom when a parent cannot attend in person, and administrators sometimes arrange alternate schedules, including Saturday sessions, for specific cases.
Board members raised concerns about equity for families who cannot take time off work or who lack childcare. Presenters said they provide excuse letters for employers when parents attend and emphasized administrators often use discretion; Cheryl Flowers, identified in the meeting as a cofounder, said schools sometimes provide a roster to the presenter so the team understands each family’s circumstances before sessions begin.
Board members and other supporters said program data — low recidivism and restored instructional days — would be the strongest evidence of the program’s effectiveness; presenters said they collect data on repeat offenses and days restored. Several board members praised the program’s flexibility and called for expanding its availability to more schools; no vote or policy change on the program was taken at the meeting.
