As superintendent, my Cabinet and principal teams worked on establishing supports to improve safety for all students and to empower our students to achieve and succeed while enrolled in our schools. The district did not have any policies or procedures in place to support a variety of diverse student populations prior to me becoming superintendent. Included is a letter to staff, a presentation provided by the administrative team on opening day for all employees, new policies passed in April 2017, and procedures that were created and published during the current school year.

The policy committee worked extremely close with our principals and their assistant principal teams to provide guidance and coaching to ensure improved equity for all students. These efforts resulted in improved SEL, as well as cognitive growth for improving academic outcomes for all learners. In addition principals, directors, and assistant superintendents (the Cabinet) and our clinicians, counselors, and Deans collaborated to create comprehensive reform with respect to working to eliminate (as much as possible) out-of-school suspensions and adopt restorative justice practices. Principals were provided coaching to ensure we began maintaining data regarding equity and student behavior. Coaching focused on principals leading restorative justice reform and monitoring behavior data. This also included eliminating historically disproportionately disciplined student groups and that the schools embraced restorative justice practices.

SEL Student Supports