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Board approves updated student behavior manual; trustees emphasize restorative supports and teacher input
Summary
Trustees unanimously approved the 2025–26 student behavior manual and an additional resources document, citing extensive collaboration with teachers, principals and associations and improvements in major behavior metrics.
The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the updated 2025–26 student behavior manual on Sept. 23 after trustees requested the item be removed from consent so it could be discussed.
Trustee Christine Hall, who pulled the item for discussion, said she wanted the board to publicly acknowledge the work behind the manual and to celebrate changes that expand restorative approaches and include teacher participation in return‑to‑school planning for students who have had behavioral consequences. Trustees discussed new elements of the manual designed to give teachers a seat at the table during reintegration planning, and to require collaborative teams — including parents and school staff — when students return from disciplinary actions.
District staff said the manual is the result of extensive collaboration with the Washoe Education Association (WEA), the principals’ association, school police, special education, and other district departments. Doctor Mike Paul, area superintendent, and Jen Van Tress, chief academic officer for student development, described the work as a multi‑year process that built on earlier revamps of district policy.
Van Tress and Paul emphasized operational changes made in the manual: separation of the content into two documents (a user‑friendly site guide for schools and a longer foundational manual for reference), clarified provisions around preplanned sick leave, supplemental benefits for workplace injuries, safety equipment, special assignments, shift bidding, mileage allowances, and a change to sick‑leave verification tracking (to year‑to‑year rather than a rolling 12‑month calendar). They also highlighted revised procedures for threat assessment, safety planning and targeted notification: staff said the manual requires that only school staff who “must implement” an individualized safety or behavior plan be briefed on details — balancing FERPA privacy protections with the practical need for staff who work directly with a student to know essential parts of the plan.
Trustees praised the collaboration and the district’s data showing declines in major behavior incidents. Van Tress and Dr. Paul said the district has seen an improvement in major behavior metrics and cited 129 manifestation determination reviews (MDRs) performed in the district in the prior year, a figure trustees said indicated schools were actively using special‑education safeguards when necessary.
Action
Trustee Christine Hall moved to approve the manual and the certification that the district is in compliance with Nevada statutes NRS 392.4644 and NRS 392.4645; Trustee Colleen Westlake seconded. The motion passed 6–0.
Why it matters
Trustees framed the manual as part of a strategy to reduce major behavior incidents, keep students in school more often, and increase teacher retention by providing clearer supports and collaborative reintegration plans. Several trustees said smaller class sizes and better state funding remain long‑term priorities to support classroom behavior and learning.
Key quote
"When there was a broken relationship, there wasn't an opportunity to rebuild that with a facilitator," Trustee Christine Hall said. "This manual requires that that is a piece. And I think that is incredibly important."
