Feb 4, 2020, River Towns, Red Wing, MN: Burnside behavior needs to change now, parents and Red Wing School Board say https://www.rivertowns.net/news/education/4920689-Burnside-behavior-needs-to-change-now-parents-and-Red-Wing-School-Board-say A lack of discipline at Burnside Elementary School has parents, staff, administration and Red Wing School Board members frustrated and concerned. During the Feb. 3 board meeting, multiple parents used the public comment time to highlight their concerns about student and staff safety at Burnside. Harassment, abuse frightens parents and staff Jennifer Ziemer's children attend Red Wing schools. She believes the district's discipline policies are broken. Ziemer said there are other parents who feel abandoned by the school district, saying her children have been "body slammed," suffered a broken bone, and experienced death threats by fellow students. Ziemer also said that teachers are being threatened, hit and sworn at. She worries that Red Wing will not be able to retain quality teachers because of these problems…. Need for swift action Superintendent Karsten Anderson presented a series of plans to deal with these progressive problems in the short term and long term: Principal Jennifer Bordonaro will work with a consultant to if/how they can support her with administrative work; There will be a review of system supports throughout February; Special education evaluations will be done for a handful of students; There also will be managing of general education students who have significant behavior issues; A "Recovery Room" to help students will be staffed every day, with the goal of it opening Feb. 18; Three emergency substitute teachers will be hired to report each day in case there is a need. After the meeting, Anderson said this is an "urgent issue" and it needs to be taken care of now. Discipline and behavior at the elementary level is a national issue, Anderson said. …
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