St. Paul schools discipline plan gets some pushback from board

St. Paul Public Schools officials laid out actions to improve school discipline Tuesday, but some board members still aren't satisfied.

The district promised more support staff in schools and a wider rollout of restorative justice practices. Those are two changes the St. Paul teachers' union has demanded in still-unresolved contract negotiations.

But board chair Jon Schumacher said the district's main discipline policy, which aims to take a preventative approach, isn't working in all schools.

"It doesn't always sound like those tools are available. It doesn't always sound like there's support available. It doesn't always sound like there are real alternatives for those kids," he said.

The district also plans to collect community feedback on its discipline policies over the next few months.

The union and the district have a mediation session Thursday. The union had planned to discuss scheduling a strike vote this week but says it will reconsider the vote after mediation.

Correction (Feb. 24, 2015): The original version of this story was unclear on when the union might schedule a strike vote. It has been updated.

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