MARYSVILLE At a public forum held March 12 at Cedarcrest Middle School, school district parent Joe Fitch read off a dictionary definition of discipline.
The word has several meanings, Fitch noted, with the first few touching on training and control. In fact, in spelling out the meaning of discipline, Fitch said, his dictionary doesnt get to the word punishment until the third definition listed.
In speaking to the school board of directors March 17, Assistant Superintendent Gail Miller referred directly to Fitchs comment.
We must also teach, not just punish, she said.
Both Miller and Fitch, of course, made their comments in the wake of what seemed to be the well-organized walkout of some 200 Totem Middle School students on March 5.
The students were protesting what they said was a lack of discipline at the school. Since then, district administrators have taken several steps to formulate a response, with a few school leaders and seemingly many parents backing the actions of Totems students.
We as adults have to listen to the children, said school district director Don Hatch at the March 17 board meeting. We tend to shove things under the rug and then they ball up and we fall over them.
The board gave over the bulk of their regular meeting to gather information on the Totem incident and possible responses, with several officials noting the problem stretches beyond just that single school.
Nevertheless, pointing to a survey completed by the schools in October, district Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Raymond Houser said between 77 percent and 80 percent of students and parents believe Marysvilles schools are safe. Board member Michael Kundu called those numbers significant, but probably not in the way Houser had intended.
According to Kundu, the survey results mean one in four students or parents dont believe the schools are safe. Board member Darci Becker questioned why the survey was done so early in the school year.
Becker attended the Totem walkout to support her daughters taking part in the event.
Having gotten wind of the walk out one day ahead of the incident, Totem officials promised students there would be consequences if the plan went forward. Those consequences turned out to be required participation in a discipline forum at the school March 14.
Prior to the walkout, that Friday was scheduled as a training day for teachers. Students were to have the day off.
According to Houser, 26 students and 13 Totem staff members planned the forum. If students didnt show up for the occasion, they faced a one-day suspension. But staffers described the forums as well attended by 176 students, including some who apparently did not take part in the protest and actually did not have to come to school that day. Officials believe some 212 students were directly part of the walkout.
The one-day forum was closed to the media, though parents were allowed to attend. According to information presented to the school board, students listed three main concerns. They claimed the school contains too much drama between students, that a hateful attitude permeates the building.
They also asked for uniform enforcement of punishments and complained of too much violence and bullying. The second issue seemed to draw the most attention from district officials.
Totem Principal Judy Albertson said some students dont understand several students involved in the same incident might not receive the same punishment. She said the differences often have to do with the record of the students. Those whove been in trouble previously usually get stiffer penalties. She and others also talked a lot about leeway and seeming flexibility in the districts so-called disciplinary matrix.
For example, Houser said the rules might allow staffers to hand out anywhere between a one-day to 10-day suspension for a specific offense. But there seemed to be open disagreement on whether or not the matrix even represents district policy. Kundu pointedly asked the three middle school principals present if they followed the matrix. In response, Albertson and others talked about it as a guideline, not as a set of hard and fast rules.
For the big things that happen, its pretty cut and dry, said Cedarcrest Principal Susan Bell. But Bell added the matrix contains gray areas on lesser offenses.
For the future, Miller talked about both philosophical and practical steps the district will take to address any problems. She said teachers would undergo two days of previously planned training in building safe and civil schools. To help with perceived bullying problems, the district plans to better advertise an existing 800 number students can call anonymously to express concerns over harassment from other students.
Specifically talking about her building, Albertson promised she would be more visible to student, sponsoring a regular breakfast where students can voice complaints. Students also have created pledge sheets, promising such things as better cooperation between themselves.