Principal reports HIB and discipline breakdown; district cites Bark alerts, restorative practices

Principal Edward Brandt presented the districtStudent Safety Data Systems report for the first reporting period (September–December) and summarized incidents the district must report to the state.

Brandt said there were 13 HIB reports and investigations during the reporting window; four were confirmed. He told the board there were five students identified as assaulters (in two distinct incidents), two criminal threats, five fights, 19 substance offenses and one weapons incident. He also reported five bias-related incidents, 15 instances of inappropriate physical contact, six cases of unauthorized audio/photo/video and 10 instances of incitement related to social media activity.

Brandt described how the district distinguishes categories: "assault" and "fight" reflect different thresholds, and "incitement" includes online posts that encourage physical confrontations. He said some categories are down from prior years (for example, unauthorized audio/photo/video dropped from 12 to six) while others varied year to year; he compared the current report to the two prior years to show mixed trends.

On responses and prevention, Brandt said the district relies on house-level teams (counselors, student assistance personnel and vice principals) that meet weekly to monitor students and identify those needing higher-level support. He described the use of in-school suspension with restorative prompts (academic catch-up plus counselor follow-up) as a preferred alternative to extended out-of-school suspension when appropriate.

Brandt also outlined technological and programmatic supports: the school uses "Bark" alerts to flag potential self-harm or threats 24/7 and escalate urgent cases by email and phone to administrators; he said the system has led to interventions at times outside school hours. He credited more than 100 clubs and 34 interscholastic teams as contributing to student belonging and lowering risky behavior.

Trustees pressed Brandt on trends and sources of substance offenses. Brandt said substance incidents are a mix of Halo vape-sensor detections, staff observations and behavioral referrals; he did not have grade-level breakdowns at the table but said the administration tracks those data and can provide them later. He also confirmed the Bark alert triggers an email and, if not acknowledged, an automated phone escalation for high-risk alerts.

The presentation closed with administrative recommendations to increase AM/PM supervision in common areas, continue restorative practices and maintain house-team meetings and supports. Board members and one public commenter praised the restorative approach and asked for broader data by grade and demographic breakouts at a later date.

The board did not take any formal policy votes directly on the safety report; Brandt's report was provided for oversight and discussion.