Gary Weber, Warren County School District superintendent, is pictured speaking during a video released earlier this week regarding the district’s handling of disruptive students.

The Warren County School District is changing how it handles student discipline in an attempt to reverse a trend of disruptive, disrespectful and defiant behavior from students.

Complaints about student behavior have been a topic of school board meetings in recent years, including a meeting where several Beaty-Warren Middle School teachers specifically cited incidents of students throwing books at teachers, lack of people or resources to deal with problem students that led to chaos in some classrooms, lack of follow-through when there was classroom discipline and an increase in physical violence.

Gary Weber, district superintendent, released a video earlier this week outlining changes to the way the district handles discipline problems. Detentions and suspensions will be served outside of the instructional day, with no in-school suspension offered. The district is also reinstituting in-school suspensions on Saturdays.

Behavior plans will be created for students who consistently struggle with behavior. The plans will be created by teachers, counselors and, when necessary, outside service providers, in an attempt to help students make better choices and take personal accountability. The district will work with parents of students who have an identified disability, whether it’s through the 504 process or an Individualized Education Plan team.

“This is not meant to undermine the special education procedures we have in place, but to strengthen our commitment to providing a safe and non-disruptive environment for all students,” Weber said.

Weber said the district will also use restorative practices that include conflict resolution, parent conferences and peer mediation to help students reflect on their actions.

“But again, this is not a substitute for consequences,” Weber said. “We believe in our students. We want them to succeed, and we will work hard to help them. But that support must be matched by expectations, and we need your help.”

The district is also asking for parents’ help dealing with students – a tall order for some given the disagreements voiced by some parents unhappy with the closure of the Youngsville and Sheffield high schools.

“I know that many of you did not have a great experience in school yourself,” Weber said. “You’ve had negative interactions with administration or your child may be experiencing things that lead to this type of behavior. Let me be clear. Your support at home is vital. When you talk to your child about respect, accountability and behavior, it reinforces what we teach at school. When consequences are given, we ask that you back them, not fight them. And when we call home about a concern, we’re doing it because we care, not because we’re giving up on your child. We are a team, home and school, and we must work together if we want our students to thrive.”