Discipline and Bullying - Everyone Deserves a Safe Environment

Every single teacher, staff member and student in our schools should feel save every minute of every day.  Physical building security should be our #1 Facilities goal.  

Studies show that good discipline leads to less bullying and higher teacher and student satisfaction. However, only 72.9% of our teachers report that the rules for behavior are enforced at their school. That leaves 27.1% who do not believe behavior rules are enforced.

We lose teachers to other schools and retirement over lack of administrative support for discipline.  We lose students to other schools and home schooling.

Many studies also demonstrate a correlation between bullying and mental health issues including anxiety, depression, suicide and suicidal ideation (thoughts or plans) and a decline in school performance.  We must do our best to address the proven root causes of mental health that are within our control. 

We have to do better.

The board needs to review and our discipline and bullying policies to develop comprehensive programs to identify and prevent bullying

Policies and actions to support our teachers with classroom discipline

Particularly in light of the state's budget proviso on mobile phones and our known issues with cyber bullying,we must address the use of mobile phones in schools in a manner that maintains access for student safety