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Students and parents press board on backpacks, bullying and discipline consistency
Summary
During the Oct. 27 public forum several students and parents urged the board to prioritize student supports, oppose blanket bans on backpacks and ensure consistent discipline policies. Student leaders said restricted backpack policies create tardiness and stress; a parent urged consistent consequences for property damage.
Students and parents used the boards public forum on Oct. 27 to emphasize student supports and press for consistent discipline and clearer programming.
Jackson Negrave, a Preble volunteer coach and student, criticized policies that restrict backpacks and said they contribute to tardiness and stress. "When my things are confiscated, I'm forced to check-in somewhere because I'm not trusted to be where I'm not supposed to be and because I'm not trusted enough to have a nontransparent backpack," Negrave said. He described long walks between classes and timing scenarios that, he said, make passing periods difficult when students must detour to lockers.
Parent and community voices focused on program funding and accountability. Jeff Degrave, a parent, asked for consistent enforcement when students damage property; he described a case in which his son was assigned a suspension and asked to pay for a broken chair and said the response felt appropriate. Degrave urged the board to make consequences consistent districtwide so that students and families know policies are applied equally.
Other public commenters urged more investment in counseling, mentorship and arts programming. Community member Damien Dorn said the budget is a moral document that should ‘‘reveal what we really value’’ and called for added investment in mentorship and mental-health supports.
Board members acknowledged the concerns and connected them to ongoing discussions about safety, campus rules and resource allocation. The board did not take formal action on backpack policy or discipline at the Oct. 27 meeting; those topics were presented as public comment and matters for further administrative review.
