Murrieta Valley Unified outlines MTSS, Playworks rollout and limits on suspensions in discipline briefing

Board President Paul Diffley opened the Murrieta Valley Unified School District special meeting and turned to a standing presentation on student discipline by Ryan Tuka, the district's executive director of student support. Tuka said the district’s "first priority of schools is to create a safe learning environment for students to learn and staff to educate," and framed recent policy work around that goal.

Tuka reviewed Education Code provisions that govern suspension and expulsion, citing Education Code section 48900 and teacher-class suspension authority under section 48910. He explained state legislative changes that limit suspension or expulsion for defiance and disruption (noting Assembly Bill/Senate Bill changes effective July 1) and stressed that districts must emphasize research-based alternatives. "Principals and staff are encouraged to provide alternatives to suspension or expulsion using a research‑based framework with strategies that improve behavioral and academic outcomes," he said.

The presentation summarized the district’s local implementation: a multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) framework with a universal (tier 1) approach and a newly rolled‑out tier 2 focused on attendance and targeted interventions. Tuka said Playworks — a provider that ran initial training paid for by the district — is being reproduced "the Murrieta way" to teach structured playground games and social skills. He said Playworks is deployed at the district’s 11 elementary schools and described how more structured recess activities have reduced playground spillover into classroom disruptions.

Tuka gave several operational details and counts the board and public asked about: the district reported 42 teacher‑class suspensions so far this school year, uses on‑campus curricula for behavior supports (anger management, substance‑use education and restorative practice modules), and maintains aligned incident-reporting forms and "no‑go" lists for event eligibility. He also described coordination with the Murrieta Police Department and site SROs to align responses and cited efforts to standardize handbooks, transfer contracts and behavior‑support forms across schools.

Board members asked for clarifications about when suspensions or expulsions remain appropriate, how patterns of bullying are distinguished from single incidents, and the mechanics of teacher‑issued class suspensions versus administrator suspensions. Tuka reiterated that some offenses (for example, brandishing a weapon or selling drugs) can trigger mandatory expulsion criteria under the code, while many disciplinary responses emphasize interventions and graduated supports.

Public commenters spoke before and after the presentation. Greg Langworthy urged consistent discipline, transparency and parental access to classrooms; Emily Brooks told the board that "the children of our city aren't dogs to be trained," urged educators to accommodate neurodiversity, and later praised staff efforts while warning that overcrowded schools hinder discipline and learning.

Votes at a glance - Consent calendar (items E–E5): motion moved and seconded; "all in favor; none opposed" (tally not specified in the record). - Personnel matters (F2 personnel report; F3/F4 teacher assignment authorizations under Ed. Code 44256(b) and 44258.2): each motion moved, seconded and carried with no opposition recorded (individual vote tallies not specified). - Resolution 24‑25‑24258 (textbooks and instructional materials compliance): public hearing opened, no comments, motion to adopt carried "all in favor; none opposed" (tally not specified).

What this means now The district presented a mix of statutory guidance and locally tailored supports intended to reduce reliance on suspension for low‑level defiance and to provide structured, evidence‑informed alternatives. The board approved routine personnel and compliance actions and asked staff to continue clarifying when suspensions or expulsions remain necessary. The district did not change board policy during the meeting; next steps are continued rollout of MTSS/tier 2 supports and staff follow‑up on parent tour requests and implementation details.