Board review shows racial disparities in suspensions as district outlines SBAR behavior-response system

Charlottesville City Schools staff used an Oct. 30 work session to review the district’s Student Behavior Administrative Response (SBAR) framework, present threat-assessment and exclusionary-discipline data, and outline proposed investments to expand one-to-one behavior supports and restorative practices.

Miss Rasnick, who presented threat-assessment figures, told the board the division has seen an increase in the number of threat-assessment reviews this school year, though most new assessments are low- or no-concern (priority 4 or priority 5); high-risk counts (priority 1–3) have not risen substantially. “We have had an increase in threat assessments,” she said, noting the largest growth in assessments occurred at elementary schools.

Staff also reported a persistent racial disparity in suspensions: district data shown to…