I felt a little queasy when I read “8.2 District Behavior Support Model” on this week’s board meeting agenda, because feels less like progress and more like a pivot away from our trusted support system. My concern is that this new model, if it is indeed a consultant-based approach covering multiple schools with no direct student interaction, is not a step forward, but a detour into mediocrity. 

Rochester Community Schools prides itself on being a model of excellence. If this model lacks daily, one-on-one student support, then where exactly are we headed? Toward complacency? Or into yet another uphill battle to preserve the hands-on behavioral structure that has helped so many?

I urge you, my friends! Keep emailing the board. Share your stories, your concerns, and your hopes. One board member, Mr. Blake, thanked me for advocating, and I’m grateful for that, but despite reassurances that the board supports us, I’ve been told again and again: This is Superintendent Russo’s decision.

So now, we rally. We hope. We pray. And we do everything in our power to make sure this meeting turns into a turning point for our students, not against them. Lord knows I am having plenty of crawl-under-my-blankets-and-weep-moments, but let’s work together to keep the pressure on. Our students and teachers need our big hearts in this fight.

How to contact the board: https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/about-us/board-of-education/contact-the-board

Link to share this petition: https://chng.it/sJddWZrycr