Lubbock ISD details discipline trends, behavior specialists and an in‑district drug intervention program
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Summary
District staff reported a 28% decline in recorded discipline incidents over three years but said out-of-school suspensions and some assault incidents increased; the board heard how student behavior support specialists, Priority Intervention Academy (PIA) and a drug intervention program are being used to respond to needs and curb recidivism.
Martha Dodge, director of student support for Lubbock ISD, told trustees the district has seen an overall decline in discipline incidents even as out-of-school suspension (OSS) increased and some incident categories rose.
"Our overall decrease over the past 3 years has been 28% when it comes to discipline incidents, while our decrease in enrollment has been at 9%," Dodge said, presenting three-year trend lines and describing how incident types are recorded.
Key points: Dodge said elementary office referrals have risen while middle- and high-school incidents trended down; she attributed some of those elementary increases to more accurate documentation and an uptick in students entering early grades with higher behavioral needs. She emphasized that incident counts reflect reported removals from instruction (not days) and that the district reviews root causes before choosing interventions.
Behavior specialists and funding: the district employs student behavior support specialists on 26 campuses (18 elementary, 8 middle). Dodge said those positions are funded through a mix of grants and federal funds (Title IV) and noted a "Stronger Connections" state grant currently funds 16 positions but is one-time. Staff acknowledged the challenge of sustaining positions when grant funds expire.
Priority Intervention Academy (PIA): the board heard that PIA had about 112 students at the time of the presentation and that the district aims to reduce recidivism; the presenter said only two students had returned to PIA so far this year. PIA leadership described behavioral, instructional and transition work at the campus and a placement-review committee that considers students individually before return-to-campus decisions.
Drug intervention program: the district's drug intervention program, part of the district's DOI mechanisms, serves students caught with THC vape pens or found under the influence. For a first offense, students complete a 12‑day program (three sessions weekly over roughly four weeks); a second offense carries a longer program (20 days/5 weeks). The presenter said about 56 students in grades 6–12 were enrolled in the intervention program and roughly 75% complete it rather than receiving a PIA placement. The curriculum was described as focusing on brain development and life skills and developed in partnership with Texas Tech Health Sciences Center.
Open questions and fiscal risk: trustees and staff discussed contingency plans for sustaining behavior specialists if grants lapse; staff said they would try to fund as many positions as possible through the district budget and Title funding but acknowledged the need for additional, sustainable revenue. Staff also noted a staffing shortage in school psychologists (three on staff, down from six last year) and the district is contracting services to maintain compliance.
Next steps: maintain PBIS training, continue fidelity walks and coaching, pursue grant opportunities and legislative priorities that might bolster funding for behavior supports. Trustees did not take formal action during the workshop.
