EASTHAMPTON — On the night Superintendent Nancy Follansbee announced her retirement, the School Committee also approved new changes to the high school handbook, which includes a restorative discipline policy.
The committee also approved a memorandum of understanding for the school resource officer program at its Tuesday meeting. The agreement spells out the duties and training required of this position.
The changes were prompted after issues with how discipline was carried out by the school’s administration. A civil rights investigation by the state attorney general’s office found discipline disparities among black and Hispanic students as well as concerns with how Easthampton High School administrators handled bias-related incidents. Follansbee conducted an investigation of her own and hired the Collaborative for Educational Services to collect data and evaluate the school’s climate, finding issues with discipline procedures.
The AG’s office investigation closed with a seven-page agreement with the school district. It lists requirements for the high school such as an annual discipline audit for the next three years. Follansbee released a 10-point action plan which includes updating discipline policies and procedures.
On Tuesday, Sue Welson, the high school’s assistant principal, discussed changes to the school handbook to the School Committee, which unanimously approved the revised edition.
Instead of punishing a student with traditional detention or suspension, the restorative discipline looks into a new way to change behaviors.
“The goal of restorative practices is to empower students to give back to the community in a comparable manner to how that student’s offense harmed the community,” the handbook states. “For example, a student who has used derogatory language may be able to volunteer with the population the derogatory harmed.”
Progressive discipline system is also detailed in the handbook, which lists examples of offenses and the appropriate consequences.
The school has eliminated Saturday school detention which would be from 8:30-10 a.m. and a student would be kept busy with academic work.
Welson said the administration sought advice on from the Anti-Defemation League when revising some of the policies. She also said the administration worked to make language and policies more inclusive to students.
The revised handbook includes a section on the state’s Civil Rights Act and has gender-neutral terms such as “first-year” instead of “freshman.” The district will also provide a translated handbook or student code of conduct at the request from a parent or student whose primary language is not English.
On Tuesday, the committee also approved the memorandum for the school resource officer program. That agreement must be reviewed by the AG’s office.
School Committee member Marissa Carrere, who led the Policy Subcommittee, said the policy goes along with the high school’s restorative discipline policy.
The school resource officer is required to be present for school trainings in bias-free disciplinary procedures. The officer will also receive training how to effectively work with specific student groups such as students with disabilities, limited English proficiency and students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
Easthampton Police Officer Rick Rogalski is serving in a liaison role with the school while School Resource Officer Alan Schadel has been on medical leave.
Follansbee formally announced her retirement Tuesday night, stating that she will continue to do everything she can to bring 21st century learning to Easthampton students with the construction of a pre-K through grade 8 school. The city is set to vote on the project next spring.
She originally planned to retire as superintendent in 2016 after six years in the post, but decided to extend her time as the district’s leader to work on plans for a new school.
“When I learned the building project I submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority on behalf of the district had been invited in the capital pipeline I knew I had to stay,” she said.
A new pre-K through grade 8 school would alleviate issues the district faces with three aging elementary schools and a structurally-failed middle school.
“It’s something I have always wanted,” she said of constructing a new school.
Following Tuesday night’s meeting, committee members met for a work session to discuss the superintendent search. Follansbee said many of her colleagues have already expressed interest in the role.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.