FeedsDiscipline raises questions at high school
Belleville High School has been a hot topic recently in the Van Buren Public School District and it’s not the temperature being discussed.
A heated discussion of disciplinary action at the high school took place on Monday night during the school board meeting. Parents and school board members are questioning the current expulsion policy after a recent spike in fights has occurred at the high school.
Principal Sheila Brown said it’s easy to see what’s going wrong, but the focus should be on what the staff is doing right. She said she and the staff have taken actions including restructuring the special education program, shown a school-wide conflict resolution video, sent counselors to every classroom and implemented a student leadership program, which incorporates not just the athletes and honor students, but also the troubled students, as well, she said.
“We have to be there for our students and have an understanding of why students are bringing anger in the school,” said Brown. “Our students come from all walks of life. We have students that can control themselves and some that can’t. We need a stronger bond with the city and community.”
Many parents suggested options like installing hall monitors, school uniforms, a mentor program and even a ticket system that penalizes students if they swear, don’t follow the dress code or misbehave.
Resident Marc Baron, who is a retired teacher and psychologist, said part of having a good school is good teachers, student handbook and community.
Reg Ion, a former employee at the high school, said the students are not being reached.
“One time my son missed a Wednesday suspension and his punishment was he got Friday off of school,” he said. “When kids are disruptive it’s a cry for help. It’s got to be a community group effort.”
One resident—Shirley Brantley— said she has racial concerns at the high school. She said she had four children graduate from Belleville High School and racism has always quietly been at the school.
“We live in a different society so we can’t use the old mottos to deal with these things,” she said. “If kids cause problems in class they’re going to cause problems in the streets. Some kids can’t function in the community, period and some can’t be reached in school, but we have to find a place for them.”
Parent ShaRonda Holly said the high school is overcrowded, and way too small.
“Lincoln school district next door to us has a community that grows. They may have issues, but they solve their problems,” she said. “I pulled my kid out of North Middle School because I didn’t like what was going on there.”
“I’m not understanding the issue. We need to wake up. This is 2007, not 1959,” she added. “If it’s a racial thing get over it.”
Since 2000, about 52 students have been expelled from Belleville High School for incidents such as student on student assault, bomb threats, weapon possession, verbal assault and violating the student code of conduct. Others have also been expelled for drug possession, physical altercations with staff members, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, putting hand sanitizer in a teacher’s drink and arson, according to school documents.
Brown said the problem students are a very small percentage, but she would like to see a dedicated police liaison at the high school, along with a social worker and the ability to grant up to a 45-day suspension.
