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Parents, alumni urge alternatives to long-term student suspensions
Summary
Two public commentators at the Todd County School District 66-1 board meeting urged the district to expand discipline options beyond lengthy out‑of‑school suspensions and to increase counseling and restorative supports for students.
Jessica Stamm, an alumnus of Todd County schools, told the Todd County School District 66‑1 Board of Education during the public forum that current discipline rules are too harsh and leave students without meaningful alternatives.
Stamm said she understands times have changed but asked the board to treat hearing recommendations as recommendations rather than the only outcome. “I wanna see more recommendations on the list of things for solutions when it comes to those student hearings,” she said, adding that mediation, counseling and anger‑management programs should be considered instead of extended out‑of‑school suspensions or mandatory online learning.
Another parent and parent‑liaison, Mandy (last name not specified in the record), described a case in which a freshman brought mace and a baton to school and faced potential expulsion. Mandy said the incident raised questions about why students arrive at school carrying defensive items and argued that schools must address the underlying trauma and home circumstances driving behavior. She recommended nonpunitive supports such as trauma‑informed interventions, mindful breathing, yoga and other restorative practices.
Mandy said outreach and consistent services are lacking for some families. She identified herself as a parent liaison with Building Bridges (called “bridal ed” in the record) and as a member of the Title VI parent advisory committee, and said she has struggled to get consistent follow‑up from school counselors on behalf of nephews in her care.
Both speakers said school discipline practices can strain families and harm student mental health. Stamm noted that a 90‑day long‑term suspension was often the only recommendation she had seen on student hearing documents. “That to me is not a solution,” she said. Mandy urged the board to pursue trauma‑informed supports and to work with community partners to provide more consistent services.
The comments came during the meeting’s public comment period. Board members acknowledged the remarks and later discussed family engagement and Title VI programming in presentations elsewhere on the agenda.
