TRI In The News

Fairfax County School Board to Review Discipline Policies

From The Washington Post
Original article by Donna St. George available here.

School board members in Fairfax County agreed Thursday night to review discipline policies in a move that some hope will lead to change in the aftermath of a recent teen suicide.

Nick Stuban, 15, had been suspended from W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax when he took his life Jan. 20. His death sparked a growing concern among Fairfax parents that the discipline system is too punitive, with harsh hearings, long suspensions and destabilizing school transfers.

School board members did not address the Stuban case during their brief discussion about discipline policies. But more than 30 parents showed up to watch the meeting, including two members of the Stuban family.

The board's action paves the way for a work session in March with more extensive discussion.

Afterward, Steve Stuban, the teen's father, said he would continue to press the case to move quickly toward major reform.

Earlier this week, he sent Fairfax officials a six-page letter, with the help of the nonprofit Rutherford Institute, suggesting improvements.