Hutto ISD discipline referrals fall; district reports drop from 0.43 to 0.20

Kyle Rogarello, Hutto ISD's director of student support, told the board the districtwide referral rate fell from 0.43 last year to 0.20 this school year.

"And district wide, we've we've dropped to 0.20," Rogarello said, highlighting broad declines in disciplinary measures across campuses. He told trustees that out‑of‑school suspension assignments dropped from 340 to 230 in the August‑to‑February comparison and that THC/marijuana violations fell roughly 62% year over year.

Rogarello credited several district strategies for the improvements: expansion of MTSS (multi‑tiered system of supports), stronger documentation practices, counselor‑led guidance lessons, and targeted programs at secondary campuses. He described a first‑offender program offered with local partners, noting, "So far, we've had 42 students this year who've opted into that," and said restorative practices and professional development for teachers remain priorities.

Trustees asked how discipline is handled operationally. Rogarello explained that each referral triggers an administrator investigation and staff consider mitigating factors, such as intent or disability, before assigning consequences. He acknowledged variation in how campuses document incidents and said the district is working on a more consistent internal discipline matrix.

Several trustees raised equity and special‑education concerns. Rogarello said overrepresentation of students with disabilities in referrals is a statewide trend the district has been addressing for several years and that campus teams use manifestation determinations and ARD/504 reviews when needed.

What comes next: the district plans continued rollout of tiered supports, more consistent documentation across campuses, and a year‑end follow up to report results as the programs mature.