CCPS highlights reduction in high‑severity incidents and PBIS house program at Benjamin Stoddard Middle School
Summary
Charles County Public Schools reported improvements in discipline metrics and described programs to address attendance, mental health and school climate — including a PBIS 'house' system at Benjamin Stoddard Middle School and recruitment efforts to close counseling and psychologist staffing gaps.
Charles County Public Schools presented a school climate, culture and safety update Nov. 24 that combined district-level data with school‑level examples of positive-behavior strategies and mental-health supports.
Dr. Linda Iverson, chief of schools, led the presentation and pointed to a three‑year comparison showing most students receive zero violations; for the 2024–25 school year she said the district had about "76 percent of our students had no violations." She and other presenters highlighted common incident categories — disrespect/disruption, dangerous substances, fighting and weapons — and said the district saw reductions in students with three or more violations.
Dr. Mike Blanchard, director of student services, described staffing and prevention work. He said the district had reduced a July 2024 shortfall of about 16 counselor/social‑worker positions to roughly 6.5 vacancies and remains actively recruiting for approximately seven school psychologist vacancies. He described mental-health initiatives including youth and adult Mental Health First Aid, restorative practices (with eight schools piloting work), the Bark early‑warning system for concerning online content, and targeted grants (Title IV and a consortium grant) that support those programs.
Charmaine Young Wadi, director for student engagement and conduct, described attendance and dropout-prevention efforts including a FACE Academy pilot at Glenmont Middle School partnering with the state's attorney's office and community mentoring programs to reengage chronically absent students. She outlined tiered interventions (referrals, attendance review plans, PPW flowcharts) and community referrals when in-school supports are insufficient.
Principal Katie Peavey and her team spotlighted a PBIS house system at Benjamin Stoddard Middle School that mixes sixth through eighth graders into 'houses' where students and staff earn points toward collective and individual rewards. Peavey said the school saw measurable improvements on its Maryland Report Card across indicators including bullying, emotional safety and staff–student relationships after implementing the model. Student commenters told the board the house approach increased engagement and accountability.
Jason Stoddard, director of safety and security, described CCPS’s partnerships with the Maryland Center for School Safety, MSDE, FEMA and nonprofit organizations, and said the district continues to coordinate with the Charles County Sheriff's Office on safety and enforcement. He noted the district serves roughly 29,000 students and 4,700 staff and framed school safety as a combined effort of security measures and positive messaging.
Board members asked for clarifications about distinguishing momentary crises from behaviors that warrant formal discipline; presenters pointed to the district Code of Conduct, five progressive levels of behavior responses and local referral procedures that encourage keeping students in class where possible and using administrative review when necessary.
Staff said additional slides and appendix data are available to board members and will be provided to those who request further detail.
