It’s time for everyone to focus on specific ways to improve discipline and academics at the school. Wherever it occurs, school turmoil, like the process of death, seems to involve distinct stages. We’ve gone through the anger and frustration stage, the necessary but painful venting of public grievances. We’ve gone through the finger-pointing and blaming stage, where what is clearly a complex situation is laid at the feet of a few individuals. Now it’s time for the school community, along with the school board, to direct their considerable energies toward the vital work of making this school better.

The solutions won’t be cheap or simple, as was illustrated by debate over elements of McCann’s proposal involving staff training and security officers. But overall, the action plan approved by the board addresses three key points:

• It provides a licensed teacher and a self-contained classroom for chronically disruptive students. This should help teachers control their classrooms, while also providing specialized instruction for problem students who can’t be abandoned.
• It provides a safety administrator, already in place, and an additional school security officer. While one board member objected to giving the school the look of a “prison,” parents and students have made it clear that security is a serious concern. Students should feel safe at the school, with no doubt that it is controlled by adults, not other students.
• It provides additional training to help teachers and other staff members intervene earlier and more effectively with behavioral problems and potential crisis situations. This is important not only to help address current problems, but to address systemic flaws that enable problems to fester over time.

As these proposals are implemented and others continue to be debated, it’s important to remember another key point which isn’t included in the formal plan: Nothing good will be accomplished without the continued support of the school community — and the community at large.

The only reason we can debate this plan of action now is because a coalition of concerned parents and teachers had the courage to act earlier. They came forward pleading for change and help. Many of those same parents have said they stand ready to help implement change, and administrators should take advantage of that great resource.

As the school moves forward, it will be especially important to integrate those parents into this plan — to encourage their continued vigilance and involvement.