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District presents restorative-practices progress; students describe peer mediation and reparation work
Summary
District leaders reported mixed but promising results from restorative-practices work (priority area 5): improved relational survey results, a slight uptick in suspensions with fewer total suspension days, ongoing racial and IEP-related disparities, and expansion of peer mediation and equity collaborative efforts.
Director Sparks and Mika Moore presented an update on Priority Area 5 (restorative practices) at the Dec. 10 board meeting, laying out data, next steps and student perspectives.
The presentation cited mixed results: survey indicators show improved perceptions of how adults treat students and how families feel respected, and the district reported a reduction in total suspension days even while the number of suspensions rose year over year. Sparks and Moore emphasized disparities that remain — notably higher suspension rates for students with IEPs and for students qualifying for free and reduced lunch — and said the district is focusing work across priority areas to address those gaps.
Students who participate in restorative programming described circles, peer mediation and peer-led responses as mechanisms to repair harm and build community. District staff said they have trained and are launching student mediators at Eagle Bay Academy with a goal of starting peer mediation in January. The district also described two high-level strategies for the year: an anti-racist restorative leadership series for cabinet-level leaders and a rebranded Equity Collaborative that embeds student leadership and implements recommendations from the Summer Racial Justice Academy.
Board members asked about coding of restorative responses in PowerSchool, how many office referrals could have been misclassified, and the sustainability of after-hours collaboratives; staff noted a three-year $250,000 grant funding stipends for teacher participation and said they are tracking restorative responses more closely in the equity report. Commissioners encouraged board members to discuss restorative practices with constituents to build public awareness and support.
