Delinquency Prevention Council - HelpingKidsNow.com

The Delinquency Prevention Council has undertaken several major initiatives for preventing/reducing juvenile delinquency. These programs were selected because they are research-based, proven effective at reducing/preventing delinquency... Read More

Meeting Archives:

9/3/2010

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5/7/2010

4/9/2010

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12/4/2009

8/7/2009

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1/9/2009

12/5/2008

10/3/2008

9/5/2008

8/1/2008

7/4/2008

DPC Meeting: Friday November 7, 2008
Time: 8:30AM
Location: UW Extension Room 8 & 9
AGENDA:
1.Welcome/Introductions

2. Approval of October meeting minutes

3. Approval of proposed Bylaw changes

4. PRESENTATION: Dan Wiltrout from DPI will be talking about the school expulsion process, policies and procedures from DPI’s standpoint.

5. Committee Check In ( If Time Allows)
a. Executive
b. Membership
c. 0-5
d. 18-21
e. School Age/Intervention
f. Gang
g. ATODA Partnership

6. DFC Grant Check In( If Time Allows)

7. Announcements: Next meeting December 5, 2008: Generational Communication: Gail Roberts, UW Extension

8. REMINDER: At this month’s committee meeting Gail Roberts will be attending to facilitate committee strategic plans.

9. Upcoming Meeting:

a. January 2009: New year business: executive appointment, needs assessment,
Committee chair selection, etc.

** NOTE: Due to the new Years Holiday, the January Meeting will take place on January 9th, not January 2nd.

MEMBERS PRESENT:
Gail Roberts, Melinda Moe, Jessica Breezer, Corrie Selby, Erik Hoffman, Maria Dabel, Ivan Thompson, Ruth Hammiller, John Peterson, Bev Marten, Jessie Godek, Sara Williams, Abby Lyon, Dennis Linse, Betty Arntson, Jeanette Petts, Abigail Hail, Kris Feggestad, Betsy Bright, Don Battenberg, Jim Schultz MINUTES:
1. Meeting was called to order at 8:35 AM and facilitated by Gail Roberts.
2. Introductions were made by all attendees.
3. Minutes from October 2008 DPC Meeting were approved with no corrections.
4. Presentation was made by Dan Wiltrout from Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) discussing the school expulsion process, policies, and procedures. The group in attendance took a test to determine their knowledge about current expulsion rates and alternative solutions being utilized around the state. Upon looking at the results, the following facts were discussed:
• Expulsions in Wisconsin increased 61% from 1997 to 2006 -
• Yet Juvenile arrests in Wisconsin decreased by about 27% from 1997 to 2007.
• Wisconsin citizens between the ages of 4 and 20 (who have not yet graduated from high school) have a constitutional right to a free, public education.
• The most frequent reason for all student expulsions in 2007 in Wisconsin was due to drugs (including alcohol), followed by violations of school rules, which was followed by an assault or endangering behavior, and then lastly for weapons.
• 66% of all expelled students in Wisconsin in 2007 received educational services by their school district during the period of their expulsion. This created an interesting debate within the group as districts do not have to provide services to kids without disabilities; it is the district’s choice. The right to an education versus the right of safe schools is a common and difficult issue to reason. What became clear is that the burden is put on the parents as they are ultimately responsible for finding education for their children.
• Males are 2.8 times more likely than females to be expelled; however, the numbers for the females are increasing.
• There are large increases in expulsion rates at times of transition into middle school and at high school. In 2006-07, 54% of the expulsions occurred during the transition of students into 9th grade.
• While students with disabilities represented approximately 14% of the total enrollment, they comprised 18% of the expulsions in 2006-07 in Wisconsin.
• While the state rate of expulsions in Wisconsin is at 2.2%, the current rate in Watertown is at 6.6%.
• Research has shown that “Zero-Tolerance” policies have not been effective and can do more harm to kids. Pre-expulsion agreements with intentions of changing behaviors and creating connections for the students (although often off of school grounds) work far better.
• If a student/parent needs an advocate at expulsion hearing, contact Legal Aide or a community group as DPI does not have the staff to accommodate and will not take sides during proceedings.
• See the DPI’s website for further information at: http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/
• To contact Dan Wiltrout: Daniel.wiltrout@dpi.state.wi.us
5. Committee Reports
• Riverside Middle School in Watertown is starting a Teen Court Pilot Program after Thanksgiving with the help of Jessica Breezer from Restorative Justice. Congratulations to everyone who has worked so diligently to get the program up and running! Everyone has high hopes that the Teen Court can be a meaningful alternative for students who may otherwise find themselves in detention, suspended, or in the traditional delinquency system.
• Search Survey is being currently being conducted in all Jefferson County Schools.
• Gail Roberts will be presenting at December’s DPC Meeting about Communication Across Generations.
• Congratulations to Monica Wagner who gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Hayden Thomas on October 28, 2008!

The meeting adjourned at 9:37 AM.