Board committee hears Whitehaven SEL pilot after presenters cite 30% drop in suspensions
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Summary
A district presentation on a social-emotional learning pilot at Whitehaven High highlighted wraparound services and a reported roughly 30% drop in suspensions over three years; board members asked about scaling, parent components and aligning with district programs.
Whitehaven High School personnel presented a social-emotional learning (SEL) pilot to the academic committee, describing wraparound services delivered through counseling, attendance and safety teams and outside facilitators brought in to teach positive social behavior. "We've seen a 30 drop in overall suspensions in just the last 3 years," a presenter said, describing the pilot as beyond infancy and seeking sustainment.
Board members pressed several practical questions: whether the program is limited to one school (the presenter confirmed it is a pilot), whether program data exist, and whether parents are included. Superintendent Doctor Richmond said data are available and that all district programs include a parent component. Richmond detailed a delivery model combining push-in and pull-out supports, naming counselors, graduation coaches, behavior specialists, attendance liaisons, social workers and school psychologists as key staff. He also said school resource officers provide lessons on interfacing with law enforcement as part of safety training.
The chair, McKinney, thanked "Mister Koss" for the Whitehaven work and advised the presenter to coordinate with the superintendent's office before wider adoption; other board members encouraged an appointment with district leadership to align the pilot with existing work. Supporters, including Board Member Porter, described training on interactions with police officers as essential and expressed willingness to implement portions of the pilot elsewhere in the district.
The presentation emphasized the program's use of outside facilitators so that existing teachers are not further burdened; presenters said facilitators come in specifically for counseling and cultivating social behaviors. Board members asked that principals be briefed and trained; staff replied the draft policy includes training for board members, principals and impacted staff.
The academic committee adjourned after asking staff to continue coordinating the pilot with district programs and provide requested data and implementation details.