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School board discusses student discipline policy in Brevard County

By Melonie Holt, WFTV.com, Brittany Caldwell, WFTV.com, Gene Saladna, WFTV.com and Chantelle Navarro, WFTV.com
By Melonie Holt, WFTV.com, Brittany Caldwell, WFTV.com, Gene Saladna, WFTV.com and Chantelle Navarro, WFTV.com

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Brevard Public Schools is holding a special meeting Thursday to talk about what school board leaders are calling problematic behavior in classrooms.

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Channel 9′s Melonie Holt was on hand for this morning’s meeting which began at 9 a.m. in Viera.

About 43 people signed up for the school board discussion on school discipline, which has brought together many members of the community.

READ: ‘Most prolific school discipline policy’ coming to Brevard County, but few specifics announced

The meeting began with testimony from inside the classroom. An employee described how her hair was pulled and someone grabbed her throat.

Other testimony revealed that what Brevard Public Schools is experiencing is no different from classrooms around the state and around the country, which has also raised the question if this is an issue of policy or engagement between families and educators.

Video: School board discusses student discipline policy in Brevard County (WFTV)

Last week, the head of the board said he hopes to put “the most prolific school discipline policy” in place that the district has ever had.

READ: Brevard Public Schools superintendent voluntarily resigns, search to begin for replacement

Board Chair Matt Susin told Eyewitness News he believes that the district needs to support students, but also lay down the law when it comes to poor behavior.

The Brevard Federation of Teachers says a lack of student discipline is a big reason why many teachers are leaving the profession.

Thursday’s special board meeting comes after Sheriff Wayne Ivey spoke out about cases of classroom violence in Brevard County.

READ: ‘Students are out of control’: Brevard County school discipline plan gains support from teachers

BPS leaders said their goal is to protect staff and get necessary resources to students before they make bad decisions that might hurt those around them.

Monitor WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.

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