Teachers push for student discipline files

Santa Rosa City Schools is revamping its system for alerting teachers if a student with a history of violence is enrolled in their class.

The issue was pushed by teachers after a string of assaults prompted the district to seek restraining orders against students in four incidents within four weeks this year.

“The system we have is not working,” Santa Rosa High School government teacher Andy Brennan said at a special meeting this month of teachers, administrators and school district attorney George Valenzuela.

Schools throughout the district maintain a binder in the main office in which student suspension notices for the current school year are kept. But teachers said that system is too passive and instructors aren't alerted when a student with a violent history is on their roster.

Not knowing a students' discipline history can put the teacher in a difficult position if a problem arises in class, said Dan Evans, a counselor at Rincon Valley Middle School and teachers union president.

“If you were aware of that, and knew, you might handle it differently,” he said. “Our main concern was violent issues.”

If a student has a history of aggressive behavior, a teacher can adjust their approach, Brennan said.

“I am going to deal with that differently, as far as de-escalating issues,” he said.

Some administrators questioned whether distributing a student's discipline history to teachers will eliminate a transferring student's opportunity to have a fresh start and a chance at success.

“I worry that if a lot of that information is out there, it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy and the child will fail,” said Mary Ann Ayala, assistant principal at Cook Middle School.

Santa Rosa High this year instituted an e-mail alert system that provides student information through the computerized attendance and grading system. Brennan said teachers were happy to have access to the information.

Elsie Allen High Principal Mary Gail Stablein expressed concern for student confidentiality if e-mail alerts are linked to the student attendance system.

The district is trying to create a uniform policy, and the subcommittee of teachers and administrators will meet again Dec. 7 to address the issue.

Staff writer Kerry Benefield writes an education blog at extracredit.blogs.pressdemocrat.com. She can be reached at 526-8671 or kerry.benefield@pressdemocrat.com.