DOVER — Indian River School District leaders provided a look at the in-school suspension process utilized by their schools Monday as Delaware’s legislative school climate task force continued its work this summer.
Sussex County is served by the Indian River, Cape Henlopen, Delmar, Laurel and Seaford school districts, as well as Milford and Woodbridge, in part.
When the Student Behavior and School Climate Task Force met June 5, discipline data provided to the group showed the state’s southernmost county was taking a different approach in the discipline of its students.
Sussex County schools utilized out-of-school suspension for just over 30% of punishments and nearly 60% for in-school, while the latter option was used just 29% of the time in Kent and 37% in New Castle.
“The optimal learning location for students is in that tier one instructional classroom area. All students come in with a backpack, and knowing what they carry, helps you determine what they need,” said Jay Owens, superintendent of the Indian River School District.
“The backpack isn’t the backpack with your school supplies. It’s a backpack with their backgrounds; and all students come to us from various backgrounds. So it’s important to get to know them.”
Mr. Owens and fellow district leaders – Georgetown Middle School principal Dr. David Carter and Indian River High School principal Michael Williams – stressed the district’s focus on relationship building and the ability for teachers to tend to students in a way that meets their specific needs.
The district leaders also emphasized the benefits for all of its member schools to operate in tandem, as it would benefit students moving through the district as they grow older.
The district’s discipline procedures operate by a matrix system that varies from elementary, middle and high school levels. Using the example of instances where students use abusive language toward staff, middle school students can be given one day of out-of-school suspension on the first offense, while high school students are given three days.
“This is obviously not all inclusive, but this is a matrix that we review regularly to determine whether it’s meeting the needs of our schools and our students,” Mr. Owens said.
“All behaviors can be quite subjective, so there is autonomy to deviate from this matrix, but it does allow our schools to act somewhat in unison when we are discussing behavior within the school and how we respond.”
Speaking on how to curb discipline issues at Indian River schools, Mr. Owens said the core tenant is teachers’ ability to build a relationship and trust with each student.
The superintendent said the matrix system is beneficial in that it sets expectations for students regarding potential consequences for their actions, and whether it be in-school suspension or another form of discipline, school leaders use it as a teachable moment.
Task force vice chair Rep. Rae Moore, D-Middletown, an educator herself, asked Indian River district leaders what strides they were taking to improve communications between schools, teachers and the families of the students they serve.
The Middletown Democrat said schools’ connection with families has been a concern in the state, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, and sought clarity on how the district was addressing that potential disconnect.
“Some of the things (we do) are trying to meet families where they are,” Dr. Carter said. “We… make ourselves accessible. (If a) parent comes in, we’re going to sit down, we’re going to talk ... 65% of my building is Hispanic, so we have three bilingual secretaries. We have (multi-lingual paraprofessionals), so we try to meet the needs of our families.”
Dr. Carter also said the district utilizes social media to get messaging to families, and that transparency, visibility and accessibility is prioritized to improve the relationship between families and schools, which ultimately can benefit student behavior.
As the Student Behavior and School Climate Task Force continues its work to develop policy recommendations for lawmakers ahead of the January start to the legislative session, the group will hold a hybrid meeting Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. at Legislative Hall in Dover.
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