District reports drop in ‘‘big 4' incidents’’ and outlines stepping‑stones classrooms, but seeks more outreach officers

District staff presented a behavior update showing a decline in the district's tracked "big 4" incidents — defiance, disrespect, noncompliance and disruptive behavior — while noting measurement changes after PowerSchool category updates. The PAC heard that the district set objectives to reduce classroom clears and disruptive behavior by 10% from baseline and to reduce drug and alcohol incidents by 5%.

Danny Hubert Cantola (director of personalized learning) summarized interventions including three full‑time stepping‑stones classrooms serving approximately 30 elementary students, site‑based rooms (stepping stones), and in‑between supports called "camp out" at Parkside and "Connections Corner" at Riverside. The district also cited investments in professional development, a behavior coach for elementary schools and restorative reentry practices.

Responding to parent questions about substances, staff said most recent incidents involve marijuana rather than fentanyl or methamphetamine and noted prevention programming such as DARE in elementary schools and health curriculum content in middle and high school. Officials said they remain short on school outreach officer coverage at middle schools because of county budget cuts and hiring difficulties; staff continue to seek grants and partnerships and highlighted a one‑time board allocation of $350,000 to support behavior initiatives.

Parents asked about data disaggregation (for example, separating marijuana from other substances) and about tracking holds/secure incidents at elementary schools; staff said some of that data is captured in the district's "big 4" metrics but may not be pulled out in standard reports. PAC members encouraged continuing calibration and asked administrators to follow up on recidivism and intervention effectiveness.