The Bremerton School District moved closer to adopting new disciplinary policies at last week’s school board meeting by accepting the reading of Policy 3241.
Included in the new policy is a language change that allows schools to shift from punishment to corrective action.
“The goal is to correct one’s behavior as opposed to punishing someone for their behavior,” said Patty Glaser, communications coordinator.
Under Policy 3241, long-term suspensions would be limited to the school year in which the conduct happened; emergency suspensions either won’t exceed 10 days or will be converted into another form of corrective action; and parents will be able to request an appeal orally or in writing.
Board member Carolynn Perkins said she disagreed with much of the policy, but took particular issue with the limit on suspension length.
“If a student creates a disturbance that causes him to be suspended for seven days and there’s two days left in school, that’s all he gets?” Perkins said. “Whereas a child that is a similar disturbance in February gets the full seven days.”
Perkins doesn’t like the new policy, but maintains the district will enforce it accordingly.
“I can just see a flaw in it. I understand not holding it over to the (next) year for a fresh start,” Perkins said. “But it is what it is and we will abide by it. We will implement it as it stands.”
The changes come at the recommendation of the Washington State School Directors’ Association.
The board also heard a report on its quarterly budget.
After one quarter, the district has spent 23.3 percent of its budget, down from 23.9 percent at this time last year, said Wayne Lindberg, director of finance and operation.
“We’re pretty well right on track where we should be with our spending, so that’s good,” Lindberg said.
The district also increased its revenue from last year by about $600,000, largely due to higher enrollment, Lindberg said.
The board conducted its annual reorganizing of the board.
Dave Rubie replaced Scott Rahm as board president, passing unanimously, and Alyson Rotter replaced Dave Rubie as vice president, also unanimously. Ken Watkins retained his position as board auditor.
