"I have pushed or restorative justice as a model to move our discipline policies in the right direction. Let's get rid of the problem, not the child. Also, we have zero tolerance for violence, harassment, weapons and drug sales. I support that."
Oct. 1, 2014 Oscar de Ia Torre

"I think this question has to more clearly defined. I am not sure what level of discipline we are talking about, but for purposes of this question here, I will take the position that we are talking about serious. I really need to understand what is being discussed.

I think we need to look at what causes the discipline issues to begin with. These are KIDS. Kids do stupid things, and to destroy them with criminal records, unless it is really warranted, and keep them from reaching their goals is not the best move. When kids are disciplined or charged criminally, they will lose all opportunities to go to college because they are not eligible for any federal or state funding -- making going to college or a trade school impossible, and then that leads to more issues. I like this idea I am hearing about counseling students, and trying to understand what issues are in their lives, because it is possible they can get help.

I know with the kids I work with from Santa Monica, I can calm things down pretty quickly and get them on the right road within hours. I get calls about depression, shutting down, being fearful, stressed, etc. There is a lot expected of young teenagers today, and we have to help them cope."
Oct. 1, 2014 Patty Finer

"At all times, the safety of students and staff, and the maintenance of an orderly school environment, must be priorities in determining appropriate discipline. When misconduct occurs, staff needs to be supported in implementing appropriate discipline and attempting to identify and address the causes of a student's misbehavior. Our district's discipline policies are 'progressive' in that consequences become more severe if a behavior persists; consequences differ, largely pursuant to Education Code requirements, depending on the type of misconduct.

Appropriate discipline is a hotly debated topic nationally. The pendulum has swung from 'zero tolerance' to what some believe is an approach which is too lax. In part, this re-examination represents a healthy response to excessive reliance on suspension without attempting to seek positive interventions in the lives of students being disciplined and a lack of discretion in determining appropriate discipline. It is an ongoing challenge for educational institutions to ensure that teachers and administrators have adequate tools to maintain safety and classroom order so that an optimal teaching environment is preserved while also endeavoring to use disciplinary situations to help individual students improve and change offending behaviors. We should continue to examine our discipline policies in light of these challenges."
Oct. 1, 2014 Laurie Lieberman

"Discipline policies should be reasonable with some flexibility for truly extenuating circumstances. Sometimes good kids are over punished for some small infraction while some kids get away with all sorts of unacceptable behavior, including excessive use of profanity. One simple policy that will help to improve discipline in the classroom is for administrators to support teachers who refer pupils for inappropriate or severe behavior problems. Teachers should feel empowered to have disruptive pupils removed from the classroom without worrying that it will be held against them. All adults at a given school, including classified personnel, should work together to help maintain discipline and morale."
Oct. 1, 2014 Dhun May