Mentor Exempted Village superintendent presents nine-part student-discipline plan after ad hoc review

Superintendent Keith Heath on Aug. 2 presented an ad hoc committee's report and nine recommendations to address student discipline, social-media-driven incidents and repeat misbehavior in Mentor Exempted Village schools.

Heath told the board the district is finalizing end-of-year data and outlined steps that include districtwide discipline matrices, a simpler reporting system for students, expanded parent and student education on digital citizenship, proactive parent meetings for frequent offenders, improved transition planning between grade bands, student advisory groups, and a feasibility study of an alternative-placement program.

The plan is intended to align building practices and provide clearer expectations while preserving administrator discretion. "We can't suspend our way out of an issue. It's not the way it works," Heath said, framing the proposed mix of consequences and supports.

Why it matters: Board members said parents and students repeatedly flagged anonymous reporting and clearer consequences as priorities. The recommendations, if implemented, could change how repeated or social-media-related incidents are managed across elementary, middle and high schools and could affect use of suspensions, in-school alternatives and third-party behavioral supports.

Most important recommendations and next steps

- Discipline matrices: Heath said the district will finalize…