We encourage Jefferson City School District patrons to learn how administrators plan to address discipline issues - a key concern raised by both educators and parents.
Superintendent Larry Linthacum last week hosted a Behavioral Supports and Expectations presentation, the first in a series to be held at each district school.
A complete schedule can be found on the district's website, www.jcschools.us. Each presentation will follow the same format, so parents may choose one that suits their schedule.
We commend the district not only for responding to concerns and crafting consistent guidelines, but for the outreach effort to communicate those guidelines.
Parental concerns about student discipline voiced at forums in 2014 were echoed in a staff survey during the last school year.
The survey was one component in an information-gathering process conducted by a Behavior Task Force. The group of 61 district staff members was led by Director of Special Services Sheila Logan and Director of Secondary Education Tammy Ridgeway.
Based on its finding, the task force compiled consistent behavioral expectations and guidelines, but also established a range of possible disciplines to provide flexibility for school principals.
Logan said the guidelines will work for about 95 percent of students, but the remaining 5 percent may require additional support from a team of specialists created by the district.
Among the parents who attended last week's presentation, one expressed appreciation for the administrative outreach and said, "I sense a culture change."
A culture change is a process.
Credit the district with creating a coordinated, comprehensive process in response to patron and staff concerns. And credit central office administrators for presenting that product at multiple public forums.
The presentations are an opportunity to ask questions and to comment on the guidelines. We encourage all district patrons to attend.