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Board adopts restorative‑practices policy, adds CABE metrics for reporting
Summary
The Stamford School Board approved a new restorative‑practices policy (Policy 5144.2) after amending its metrics language to adopt key measurement guidance from CABE; members debated the scope of data collection and whether details belong in regulations.
Chairwoman Coke (speaker 5) introduced Resolution 04‑29‑25.4 at the board’s April 23 meeting, asking the board to adopt Policy 5144.2 on restorative practices and to add a definition of “restorative practice metrics.” Chairwoman Coke read Amendment A aloud, saying restorative practice metrics would include “school climate data as described in Public Act 23‑167, including but not limited to school discipline records, school climate assessments, attendance rates, social and emotional learning assessments, academic growth data, types of bullying complaints … in‑school suspensions, out‑of‑school suspensions, and school‑based arrests.”
Members debated the amendment’s scope and format for much of the discussion. Doctor Hammond (speaker 4) raised concerns about operational capacity and parent rights, asking how the district would collect and compile qualitative and quantitative pieces and noting parents’ ability to opt out of some assessments. Doctor Hammond said, “I wouldn't want my child's information in a federal database,” expressing privacy concerns tied to social‑emotional learning data.
Several board members said much of the material mirrored existing school‑climate language and questioned whether a required grid or spreadsheet format would be prescriptive for central office implementation. Chairwoman Coke and other proponents said the amendment clarified what data the board should expect to receive when monitoring implementation.
During the meeting a board member (speaker 7) moved to replace the red‑text definition with CABE’s model metrics and best‑practice language; that motion to amend the amendment was seconded and carried. Chairwoman Coke then called the question on Amendment A as amended. The chair recorded the vote in the meeting as seven members in favor, one opposed and one absent and announced that the amendment passed. After further procedural discussion and a failed attempt to substitute a narrower Amendment B, the board adopted Resolution 04‑29‑25.4 as amended.
The action requires Stamford Public Schools to biannually report restorative‑practice metrics as defined in the adopted language; during debate members repeatedly urged that detailed implementation and data‑collection protocols be drafted in regulation so that the policy remains a readable board statement while administrators handle technical specifics.
What’s next: With the policy approved, staff will be expected to implement reporting consistent with the adopted metrics definition and to work with the board on regulations and procedures that explain methods, cadence and parent‑notification/opt‑out procedures.
