Discipline Policy Revised At Plummer

Hoping to bridge a gap between the schools and some American Indian parents, the Plummer/Worley Joint School District wants teachers to talk to parents more.

The district also is changing the ways it disciplines students and is boosting cultural sensitivity training for staff.

The changes, approved at a recent school board meeting, come after a May 1 meeting with Indian parents. The parents charged that the district was singling out Indian students for discipline, while white students received little or no punishment. School officials denied the accusations.

Still, the meeting resulted in several changes. The district decided to:

Eliminate “in-school suspension,” in which a student spends the day at school, isolated from classes and other students.

Instead, the district wants parents to supervise their trouble-prone students in the classroom, or may require Saturday school. Out-of-school suspensions and expulsions will be a last resort.

Broaden staff training, including ways to defuse minor incidents that escalate to major discipline problems.

Improve communication with parents. The district’s installing phones in classrooms. Teachers will be expected to increase contact with parents.

Because many parents don’t have phones, the district’s also preparing a check-off form to send news.

Lastly, the district said it expects parents to encourage children to attend school, to support discipline, and visit school regularly.

School officials also are considering a parents’ suggestion to install video cameras to monitor staff and students.

, DataTimes