Board adopts revised student-behavior policy to allow short-term suspension for discriminatory acts, adds bias training and review process

The Bellevue School District board approved revisions to Policy 3241 (Student Behavior, Corrective Actions and/or Interventions) that allow short-term suspensions for discriminatory acts and strengthen requirements for Discipline Appeals Council (DAC) membership and training.

District staff framed the changes as part of a broader equity-driven process that grew from student and family testimony and a districtwide equity design effort. Dr. William Jackson said student voice drove the work: "student voice is one of the drivers, the biggest drivers of change," and staff described a multi-year effort to align policy with professional learning on microaggressions, restorative practice and equity-focused leadership.

Key changes approved by the board include language that permits short-term suspensions to "disrupt discriminatory behavior in schools," a requirement that DAC representatives receive bias training, and a requirement that a special committee of the board recommend parent/guardian DAC representatives in consultation with the district equity design team and that the full board approve those recommendations. The board also added implementation language clarifying support for students returning from suspension and codified a requirement for training for a special committee that appoints DAC members.

Board discussion focused on implementation and monitoring. Directors asked that staff report on policy impacts; one director urged caution that a single year may not provide sufficient data. After discussion, the board amended the policy to remove a single fixed-review date and instead adopted language committing the board to "revisit this policy during upcoming school years, consistent with the development and review section above," and to review implementation impacts in the district27s annual plan report.

During debate, board members emphasized the policy is intended as one tool among many, with professional learning and restorative responses emphasized as primary strategies and exclusionary discipline as a last resort. The policy as amended also requires that DAC and the board27s special committee receive bias training before serving.

The board moved, amended and approved the policy by voice vote.