A Fairfax County Board of Supervisors motion that drew a link between the school system’s disciplinary policy and two student suicides has opened a tense discussion about how best to manage students’ mental health. The motion, put forth by Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, D-Hunter Mill, asked for an analysis of the schools’ “zero-tolerance” disciplinary process in light of two suicides by students facing expulsion in the past two years. On Friday, Fairfax Superintendent Jack Dale blasted the motion in a letter to the supervisors saying its use in connection with the suicides was “unconscionable and a blow to those who have already suffered great pain and loss.” He also said it was a “falsehood” that the schools have a zero tolerance policy under which certain acts trigger an automatic expulsion.
Documents obtained from the school system show that in 2008-09, 723 students were considered for expulsion or school reassignment. Eight withdrew from FCPS, while the remainder faced consequences such as long-term suspension, or placement in an alternative school.
School board member Martina Hone sympathized with the supervisors’ intent to look more closely at the expulsion process.
“This flap is about [Dale’s] resistance to taking a hard look at what our discipline policies do and do not do,” she said, adding that she’s been waiting nearly four months for a requested review of the system.
“Dr. Dale has been resistant to any outside voice saying, ‘Hey, we need to take a look at this,'” Hone said.
Dale said on Saturday that he’s attempted to give as much information to the school board as possible. The priority moving forward, he said, should be ensuring school and county programs that are available for kids with mental illness, or at risk of expulsion, don’t suffer budget cuts.
“Both [the county and the school board] should be continuing to struggle to find out how to help kids and families in need,” he said.
Hudgins and other supervisors moved quickly to douse Dale’s anger over the suicide connection, calling the flap a miscommunication.
“It was a misunderstanding and an overreaction on the part of the schools,” said county Chairman Sharon Bulova. “The board discussion was in the context of depression and suicide and how we can be supportive and work with the schools – that was it.”
Supervisor Pat Herrity, R-Springfield, was more piqued by Dale’s reaction, saying it was typical of school-county relations, and counterproductive to student well being.
“What’s disturbing to me is that Dale is treating the Board of Supervisors with the same zero-tolerance that he treats the kids,” Herrity said.
