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Committee adopts revised suspension policy, board members seek data on restorative practices
Summary
The Stamford policy committee approved revised suspension and exclusion rules (Policy 5131) that shorten maximum suspension lengths and revise standards for young students; debate centered on whether restorative practices lack data and how removal procedures and monitoring will be documented.
The policy committee approved revisions to Policy 5131 (suspension, exclusion and due process) by a 4-1 vote, adopting language that aligns with state recommendations and CABE guidance.
District staff summarized key changes: reduction of the maximum consecutive in-school suspension days from 10 to 5, lowered thresholds for out-of-school suspension for preschool through grade 2 to actions causing physical harm, added notice requirements including a clarified five-business-day notice for expulsion hearings, and other procedural clarifications. Staff said many restorative-support responsibilities were folded into MTSS and that principals would remain points of contact for implementation.
Board member Becky urged postponement of the policy and repeatedly questioned the efficacy of restorative practices in the district, saying she has received parent reports that restorative methods have not produced accountability and may burden victims. Other members, including Versha (chair of Teaching & Learning), asked that the district produce data and a rubric to monitor outcomes. District staff (including Matt Laskowski and Dr. Lucero) said restorative responsibilities remain in the system, described how MTSS roles will incorporate supports, and offered to compile exclusionary-timeout/ISS logs and other data for the board.
Board members also asked how teachers should document removals from class and where removed students are sent; staff said behavioral incident forms and administrator notifications are used and that regulations will provide more explicit guidance and examples. The committee approved Resolution 08-13-24:54 adopting the revised Policy 5131 with a vote of 4 in favor and 1 opposed.
The committee asked staff to return with specific data on restorative practice outcomes, exclusionary-timeout logs and proposed monitoring rubrics so the board can review implementation and equity impacts.
Speakers quoted in this article are members of the policy committee or district staff identified in the meeting.
