BY KARISSA MILLER

Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education members shared their views on how to best deal with disruptive students during Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting.

Vice Chairman Mike Kubiniec led the charge, explaining that 2 percent of the district’s 20,000 students are causing 65 percent of the district’s discipline problems.

“We have students that are afraid to come to school,” he said. “We have parents that fear for their child while they are loan to us.”

Kubiniec mentioned recent incidents in which weapons were found at two high schools and a middle school student who brought an Airsoft gun to school.

“It’s the duty of this board to set some clear expectations of what actions should be taken,” he said.

Kubiniec suggested permanent expulsion for “repeat offenders” or disruptive students who are a major threat to others, along with additional safety measures.

“Weapons or fake weapons are clear examples that demand decisive action,” he said. “These threats must be immediately removed from the school environment because our students and staff must always be in a safe environment.

“These students and parents have to be held accountable,” he added.

Kubiniec explained disruptive students with violent behavior who are a threat to students and staff, who disrupt the learning process, and who conduct other serious misconduct clearly demonstrate that “they don’t want to be there.”

“We’ve had a number of weapon related incidents in the past two weeks,” Kubiniec said. “Imagine for a moment that these disruptors are removed from the school. Imagine the joy on the children’s face as they wake in the morning in anticipation for a fun-filled stress-free day. Imagine those happy parents dropping their kids off at school.”

“Imagine those teachers and staff knowing they are safe everyday — they can truly focus on educating our children,” he added.

Kubiniec said these issues are tied to low-performing schools, teacher retention and recruitment. 

“Schools can’t solve all societal problems, but we can eliminate them by taking action and removing these disruptors,” Kubiniec said.

School officials explained that the guidelines have been there for years about expulsion. The board wants the district to start enforcing existing policies.

According to Superintendent Jeff James, in some instances disruptive students are sent to the alternative school and then it’s “rinse and repeat” when they come back to their home school.

“It’s my assumption by looking at this board that a majority would be ready to get rid of the 2 percent if we voted (hypothetically) tonight,” said board member Brian Sloan.

“It’s not as clear cut as that,” Kubiniec said in response.

Chairman Bill Howell said that he agrees with being tough on discipline, but believes children have a right to learn.

“A child has to do something for us to put them out forever,” Howell said. “The Constitution of the United States guarantees everyone a right to education. We need to be extremely cautious as we move.”

“I agree we have some violent children. …Unfairly, we are the problem solvers. No longer are the parents. That’s where our problem lies. We have some parents who don’t parent,” he added.

Board member Doug Knight said that he believes some of the students can change. He said the district should explore alternatives to permanent suspension.

“I’m not okay with throwing away 400 kids,” Knight said.

Board member Anita Kurn said the district should look at every child on a case-by-case basis. 

“I think the expulsions we did were good decisions. I believe those were repeat offenders. I believe you are taking the steps to document any of the other children who are repeat offenders. As we see those come up, we will address them,” she said.