歪歪漫画

Laporte 歪歪漫画 parents, administration and three school board members met in a committee format to discuss a host of concerns.

Board chair Jessica Howg and board members John Seegmiller and Joan Moorhead participated in the Aug. 12 meeting, along with Superintendent A.J. Dombeck, Principal Lee Pederson and behavioral specialist Caitlin Hadrava.

Stacie Shuster, a parent who is also running for a school board seat, estimated there were 17 parents and three students in attendance.

A parent provided an audio recording of the hour-long meeting to the Enterprise.

At the outset of the meeting, Breeanna McDougall, another parent, reminded everyone that 鈥渁 group of us had gotten together about some concerns that we had, and then we presented them at the last board meeting.鈥�

At that July 8 meeting, Dombeck asked the parents to formulate solutions or proposed actions.

The parents brought a lengthy 鈥減oints of discussion鈥� list on Aug. 12.

One of their concerns centered around special education programming at the school, such as students with individualized education plans (IEPs) or with disabilities being taken out of classrooms, crisis plans, the qualification and licensure of new special education teachers, the establishment a special education advisory committee and a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) team.

Moorhead asked if there was a safety concern for the student or for the classroom.

Shuster gave an example. 鈥淔or two years now, I鈥檝e had concerns with the behaviors of other children, and the swearing and the effect it has on my son. I was told there was nothing to be done with that situation, so he got a free hall pass to leave the room whenever it bothered him, but then he was bored walking in the halls all year and missing out on academics.鈥�

The parents鈥� concerns also included the safety and accessibility of playground equipment, safety drills and plans, emergency kits for those with disabilities or sensory impairments, alternative meals for those with allergies, disrespectful behavior by students toward teachers and staff, bullying prevention, and better communication between the school and parents.

Sarah Ziegler said her main issue is bullying. She noted that the National Center for Education Statistics found that 22% of U.S. children say they are being bullied. 鈥淭hat goes up to 28% in rural areas. I didn鈥檛 know that. That surprised me,鈥� she said.

Ziegler recommended filling out a report for each bullying incident, which includes a prevention plan and notification of the parent/guardian.

Moorhead said a similar form was used where she taught and it was very effective.

Dombeck noted that the district is switching to a new student database, called JMC, that has such a form and all parents will have access to it.

Ziegler also suggested peer mentoring, conscious discipline and restorative practices.

Seegmiller noted the district has had a daily 鈥渞esponsive classroom鈥� program for the past decade.

鈥淚t sounds like it鈥檚 important for us to have options for kids,鈥� Dombeck summarized. 鈥淭he more options we have, the more we can find out what works for each kid.鈥�

Dombeck said he was taking notes. 鈥淚 like some of these ideas a lot.鈥�

He added that the district has taken advantage of important programs like Peacemaker Resources from Bemidji and Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning as well.

McDougall offered to email the full list of questions to the school board and asked for answers. 鈥淲e鈥檇 like input from everybody, not just administration,鈥� she said.