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Eagle Point SD 9 reports drop in referrals as tighter cell-phone rules and standardized discipline matrix take effect
Summary
District disciplinarian reported average daily referrals fell from 39.33 last year to 28.68 this September. Staff credited standard definitions, consistent enforcement and a stricter cell-phone policy; trustees asked for clearer parent guidance about reporting and privacy limits.
District disciplinary leadership told the Eagle Point SD 9 board on Oct. 11 that September referral rates are down sharply compared with the same period last year. "Our average daily referrals are 28.68 this year as compared to 39.33," said Mister Meegan, the district disciplinarian, citing roughly 10.5 fewer referrals per day.
Meegan said the district provided each building with a standardized disciplinary definitions matrix and that he and building disciplinarians are working to align reporting practices across sites. "I regularly go to each of our buildings to meet with disciplinarians," he said, and staff are asked to follow the matrix "as closely as they can." He acknowledged some buildings saw increases in majors while others decreased.
Trustees pressed staff on whether the lower referral rate might reflect underreporting. Meegan replied that he has not seen evidence of underreporting; he emphasized on-site reviews and said schools use anonymous tips and direct reporting to surface incidents. When fights rise to the level of assault, Meegan said the district involves law enforcement and often relies on the law-enforcement outcome when assigning school discipline.
Board members also discussed the district's definition of bullying versus mutual harassment. "Bullying comes from a child that is aggressive towards an individual and that individual is not trying to engage," Meegan said, adding many incidents reported as "bullying" are mutual banter that require different interventions.
Trustees praised the district's tightened cell-phone policy, which Meegan said has led to confiscations and calls home and to students beginning to accept the rule. "Our staff has held steadfast in what our new policies are," Meegan said. Board members asked the administration to circulate the discipline-definition matrix and to clarify in student handbooks what parents can and cannot be told about other students because of privacy laws.
What happens next: The board asked staff to distribute the matrix to trustees and update public-facing materials so parents understand the reporting process and privacy limitations. No formal vote was recorded; board members signaled support for continued enforcement and communication.
