BUFFALO, N.Y. — There is an emerging call at Buffalo City Hall to focus on school suspension policies and after-school programs.
Parents and other community members will have a chance to hear information and give their opinions on the subject as well at an upcoming meeting.
The subject of school suspensions has been a difficult issue as districts seek some way to discipline students who cause trouble but also keep them engaged somehow in the learning process.
That is why City Councilmember Zeneta Everhart is using her role as chair of the council's Education Committee to call for a special meeting next Tuesday, January 30 at 5:30 p.m. She wants to bring in experts to hear more about possible ways to improve the existing school suspension policies and also look at the after-school programs of schools to help students.
"Yes, children get in trouble. We're not negating that right? And yes suspensions have to happen. But for me, it's about what are we doing with those children in those hours that they are suspended from school. And so for me, I've already talked to the superintendent about some ideas and things that I have. So those will be discussed at our meeting next week. But we have to find real solutions to these things right? We can't just send our kids home. They have to have something to do during those hours. We don't want them missing their schoolwork," Everhart says.
The Buffalo School district responded that they welcome more discussions on the subject and again the councilwoman and superintendent have spoken about this. The district points out its restorative justice policies to seek solutions to the student's problems with a steps approach to discipline and suspension as a last resort.
This meeting, which will also again look at after-school programs and planning, will be held in the Council chamber at Buffalo City Hall.