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Parent urges restorative approach after student altercations, tells Bemidji school board of court appearances
Summary
A Bemidji parent told the school board her 12‑year‑old daughter faced criminal charges after an in‑school fight and called for restorative discipline policies rather than charging children; the board received the comment during public participation.
Michelle Marion addressed the Bemidji Public School District board during public participation on June 16 and urged the district to consider restorative‑justice alternatives to pressing criminal charges against children.
"My daughter was attacked in the beginning of the school year as an 11 year old, and we were asked if we would press charges," Marion said. She described a subsequent incident in which her daughter — then 11 — became involved in a fight and the other family chose to press charges against Marion’s child. Marion told the board the family has attended multiple court dates and that the episodes have had lasting academic and personal effects.
Marion also said her daughter reported being called racial slurs at school: "she was called 'the N‑word,' an 'F‑A native,' and a monkey," which Marion said continued even after staff interventions. Marion asked the board to consider replacing punitive, adult‑style responses with restorative policies that address students’ developmental capacity and focus on repair and reintegration rather than court involvement.
The board did not take action during the meeting; public comment was recorded, and Marion’s request was entered for the board’s consideration. No board member made a public commitment during the meeting to change discipline policy that evening.
Ending
Public comment concluded after Marion’s three‑minute time allotment; board members continued with the consent agenda and other business.
