(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

The Blackhawk High School Campus was a busy place on the night of November 10. Outside there was a “Powderpuff” football game raising scholarship funds happening at Blackhawk Stadium. In the auditorium, choral students from across the county gathered for a spirited performance. And in the school library, the Blackhawk School Board met for their regular meeting.

The meeting started on a positive note, as a trio of students were recognized as Students of The Month. Aidan Thellman was recognized by the Rotary Club, Olivia McClymonds was honored by the Chippewa Lions, and Chase Alexander was chosen by the Little Beaver Lions Club.

Following those recognitions was a presentation on “Restorative Practices” by Highlands Middle School teachers Drew Bosco and Sydney Migliore. The concept of restorative practices is designed to help students that commit non-violent offenses to be disciplined in a manner that teaches them the error of their ways and allows them to remain in the educational loop–as opposed to a traditional detention or suspension that merely serves as time spent before returning to classes.

“The great thing about this is [that] the students are creating their own timeline for a consequence,” Migliore said. “A lot of times, when you have the repeat offenders, they’re doing the same behavior, or they’re doing something even worse.” Migliore and Bosco said that one of the main forms of discipline will be an “accountability project”, where the students will learn about the real-life consequences of their wrongful actions, and present their findings in a presentation to be given to staff, parents, or whomever is deemed fit for full comprehension.

Dealing with real-life consequences was also on the plate for the Blackhawk School Board by meeting’s end, as they were met with a stern complaint from South Beaver Township resident Curtis Lloyd, who has two children in the school district; one of whom is a special needs student. Lloyd felt that the lack of a push to hire additional paraprofessionals is putting the educational staff in dire straits and improperly supporting the students.

“To me, as the father of a special needs student, it’s pretty much akin to opening up the school without a ramp or an elevator,” Lloyd said. “You are making education inaccessible, and it’s a choice. So what I’m asking is, what is this school board going to do to change that choice; to hire these paraprofessionals?”

The school board stated that the union wages were voted on last year by the board, and that current wages were being negotiated; negotiations were in progress per Chairperson Roberta Mansell. Lloyd accused the board of being in violation of the law because of funding received by the state; Superintendent Dr. Robert Postupac declined to answer any legal questions on private matters in a public forum.

The next Blackhawk School Board meeting is scheduled for November 17 at 7:30 PM in the Library.