Staff at a DeSoto middle school staged a planned protest in response to concerns over student behavior and disciplinary issues.
Teaching staff at McCowan Middle School called out of the job in protest Friday in response to the district’s disciplinary actions against its educators.
At least 30 teachers and staff members staged the sickout due to disciplinary actions against teachers when trying to keep classrooms under control.
Tiffanie Blackmon-Jones, Chief Communication Officer for DeSoto ISD, said the district is responding, and the school had to make changes to classroom schedules.
“Students are following a modified class schedule and receiving instruction. The school day will continue as noted in the campus bell schedule and will dismiss as normal,” said Blackmon-Jones.
The protest comes as a DeSoto ISD teacher is on leave pending an investigation after a viral video circulating on social media shows a teacher grabbing a student and yelling at him for being disrespectful.
The district sent a full statement Friday.
This morning, district administrators were informed of a planned teacher protest in response to concerns over student behavior and disciplinary issues. As a result of the influx in teacher absences at one campus, the district orchestrated a response that included the assignment of additional substitute teachers and the reassignment of district central staffers to assist in supporting the campus to ensure a continuation of learning and operations.
While the campus moved to a slightly modified schedule, students were actively engaged and learning; staff were active and responsive to fulfill instructional and supervisory needs on campus; and community groups joined us as volunteers to support hallways, gyms, and the cafeteria activity–a demonstration of the coming together of the village required to ensure successful outcomes for our scholars.
The district will review the concerns that led up to today’s adjustments which will include an analysis of trends around student behavior and data at all district campuses; partnering with groups and organizations that specialize in designing and implementing restorative responses to student behavior and that which provide social-emotional support to scholars. We will also look at conducting focus groups to understand concerns, successes, and sentiments regarding school experiences from various perspectives inclusive of students, staff, and parents.
The concerns presented in this matter exist in school systems across the country; DeSoto ISD is not an anomaly. However, where the district has an opportunity to do something different, is in how it teaches and responds to the concerns of both our students and educators as the district continues to provide reorientation regarding engagement in education and school settings in a post-pandemic world.
The District’s primary focus remains the physical, mental, and emotional welfare and safety of all, and is committed to taking appropriate measures to address these matters. DeSoto ISD assures its community that it is dedicated to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for students, staff, and families.
The next school board meeting is on Monday, Dec. 18.