The Superintendent's Work Group on Restorative Practices (SWG) began in 2016, when advocates, parents, and community members met with Spokane Public Schools leadership to request exclusionary discipline reform. That meeting and others ultimately led to a resolution to outline the issue and work. The SWG continues addressing educational equity needs of students, including working to ensure that students of color, those with disabilities, and those living in poverty are not disproportionately impacted by exclusionary discipline.

The purpose of this group is to ensure that all students and families are treated in a way that reflects the district’s commitment to equity, restorative practices, and “Excellence for Everyone,” specifically with regards to the district’s approach to student behavior.  Through quarterly meetings and project-based subcommittees, district staff and community members work together to consider and recommend strategies for improving and strengthening practices for meeting the needs of all students.

Committee members represent community groups throughout Spokane, and meetings often include parents, youth advocates, district leadership, school administrators, and other school staff. 

A founding member of the SWG is the Every Student Counts Alliance. This coalition includes parents of students with disabilities and of color and has supported students affected by disproportionate discipline in contributing to SWG meetings. They offer information and ideas, collaborate to identify solutions, and work collectively to elevate student voice.

Other SWG members have included TeamChild, the Spokane NAACP, the ACLU of Washington, The Arc of Spokane, the Northwest Justice Project, Northwest Autism Center, League of Education Voters, and Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

SWG meetings are open to all. If you are interested in learning more, we invite you to come to our next quarterly meeting or to Email Tara Luedke to get on our email list.

We currently have three subcommittees: Special Education, Racial Equity, and Pipelines to Success. Each subcommittee is led by a district and community-based chairperson. Meeting schedules and locations vary. If you are interested in joining a subcommittee, please email Julie Schaffer, Email Restorative Lens Consulting. 

The Superintendent's Work Group meets quarterly during the school year and is open to the public to attend. 

All meetings will be in the SPS Boardrooms, 200 N. Bernard Street, from 3:30 – 5:30pm.