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LBUSD presents restorative-discipline approach as suspensions remain rare
Summary
District staff told the board March 26 that suspensions are a last resort, citing 30 suspensions this year (about a 1% district rate) and describing alternatives such as PBIS, student success panels and the JADE substance-education program; trustees and parents pressed for clearer processes and record review options.
Laguna Beach Unified School District officials outlined their restorative-discipline framework at the March 26 board meeting, stressing that removal from class is used only when safety requires it and that multiple alternatives are available to keep students in learning environments.
Dr. Michael Keller, the district director of social-emotional support, told trustees that the district had recorded 30 suspensions this school year and that roughly 95% of students are never suspended. "Our current suspension rate this year is 1% district wide," he said, adding that 24 students accounted for those suspensions and that 16.6% of suspended students had multiple suspensions.
Keller walked the board through the district approach: multi-tiered systems…
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