Fairfax County school officials are proposing spending nearly half a million dollars to overhaul the public school system’s disciplinary procedures in the wake of a student’s suicide. The $457,000 would be used to create two new positions and extend 20 teachers’ hours to create more supervision and human contact for suspended students.
Additionally, a three-day drug and alcohol seminar currently offered only for students under the influence while in school would be extended to five days and offered also to students caught with the drugs on hand.
The school system should better explain the consequences of infractions through parent meetings, handouts and short videos created by students, said Mary Ann Panarelli, director of intervention and prevention services.
“What surprised [students] each time is what the consequences are — ‘I knew I wasn’t supposed to do this, I just didn’t know this could be a consequence, and now I’ve found out it can be,'” Panarelli told the school board and dozens of parents at a Monday meeting to hash out the proposed measures.
Fairfax school officials have targeted their approach to suspensions and expulsions after a W.T. Woodson High School student committed suicide in January. Nick Stuban, 15, had admitted in writing to buying a synthetic marijuana capsule before his parents were notified, and his suspension kept him out of school for months.
On Monday, school officials said they would more clearly designate counselors, psychologists and social workers as point-people for students suspended or out of school while awaiting decisions from disciplinary hearings. They also shortened the average wait time from 12 days to two.
But school board members told Panarelli and hearing officer Dana Scanlan more work needed to be done before their vote next month.
New language added to the Student Responsibilities & Rights guidelines would compel principals to “make a reasonable effort” to notify parents “at the earliest opportunity” when a student faces disciplinary action.
Several board members said that wasn’t enough.
“We talk about loco parentis, but I have never turned my kid over to the police for questioning. I have never asked my child to sign a confession,” said Sandra Evans, who represents the Mason District.
