Discipline advisory panel recommends PBIS training, summer code-of-conduct work and restorative-practice training

A temporary advisory committee on district discipline presented a set of recommendations to the School Committee on March 4, urging a districtwide alignment of disciplinary philosophy and recordkeeping.

The panel reported uneven approaches to discipline across buildings and inconsistent entries in the student information system (Aspen). To address that, the committee recommended sending administrators (middle- and high-school leads and elementary administrators) to PBIS training this May, asking administrators working over the summer to draft a district-wide code of conduct, and establishing a “train-the-trainer” restorative-practices program so leaders in each building can implement consistent restorative discipline strategies the following school year.

The committee also flagged Aspen as an imperfect tool for documenting behavior incidents; members urged clearer entry standards or alternative tracking so the district can monitor disparities and measure intervention outcomes. Committee members praised student participants for frank feedback and recommended that students, families and teachers be included in the code-of-conduct drafting process.

The temporary committee’s chair and supporting members told the School Committee they have completed their assigned review and suggested either renewing the advisory group in a different form or transferring responsibility for implementation and monitoring to administrators and district staff. Committee members asked the administration for a plan describing who will do post-recommendation work, timelines and how the district will continue to gather student and family input.

Ending: The committee asked the administration to describe next steps — who will lead implementation, whether the advisory group should be re-chartered for monitoring, and a timeline for training and handbook updates. No binding policy changes were adopted at this meeting.