MMSD presents BEP update, spotlights school restorative practices amid persistent suspension disparities

Madison Metropolitan School District leaders presented an update on the district’s Behavior Education Plan (BEP) and spotlighted three schools’ restorative and alternative‑to‑suspension practices during a board meeting.

The presentation, led by Executive Director of Student and Staff Supports Dr. Leah Eser and coordinator of progressive discipline Lily Hangartner, reviewed multi‑year behavior and suspension data since return from the pandemic. “The vast majority of our behaviors do fall in those levels 1 and 2,” Hangartner said, explaining BEP behavior levels that designate classroom‑managed incidents separately from those that may lead to suspension. She reported an uptick in suspensions in 2023–24 and a notable reduction in 2024–25, including “an approximately 30% decrease in middle school suspensions” for 2024–25.

At the same time, district data show persistent disproportionality: Hangartner said the aggregate figures suggest roughly a 1‑in‑10 chance any student might receive a suspension in a given year; students with disabilities face about a 2‑in‑10 chance for out‑of‑school suspension, and students identifying as Black about a 3‑in‑10 chance over the four‑year averaged window. “This resulting disproportionality, especially with respect to our Black students and to our students with disabilities, remains stubbornly disparate,” Hangartner said.

Cynthia Moore, teacher leader for Culture and Climate, reviewed the district…