DISTRICT TO DEFUSE DISPUTES : SCHOOL STAFF TO RECEIVE `CRISIS PREVENTION' TIPS.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer

A growing trend of confrontations between parents and teachers has prompted the Lancaster School District to formulate a new policy to help staff deal with the sometimes violent situations.

The policy calls for providing training for school staff in ``crisis prevention methods'' and outlines possible sanctions against belligerent parents, such as excluding them from a campus for seven days or seeking restraining orders against them.

``It shows teachers and staff how to deal with a situation, if parents are abusive or try to assault someone,'' said board member Greg Tepe. ``It will help district staff be better prepared.''

The board at Tuesday's meeting approved the first reading of the policy, which deals with teachers. The policy, which will be expanded to include other district staff, volunteers and parents who work at the school, will come back for second and third readings before final approval.

``This year we've had several incidents at various schools where they have ranged from threats against teachers to physical altercations, the majority of them involving parents,'' said Susan Davis, district spokeswoman.

Five times this school year, sheriff's deputies have been called to incidents, compared to one the previous year, said Ned McNabb, an assistant superintendent.

``Parents are our friends and partners. There are between 20,000 to 25,000 of them,'' McNabb said. ``The vast majority are true partners. Unfortunately it seems in society there are some adults that seem to solve problems with violence and bring it on campus. It's an increasing phenomenon.''

Officials said the catalyst for the new policy was an incident last month at Sierra School involving the mother of a kindergartner.

The woman had come to the school to pick up her daughter early but became angry after the teacher asked that she wait until after the class was finished, officials said.

While the pupils watched, the parent grabbed her daughter and pushed the teacher, then kicked a volunteer aide's shin, officials said.

Deputies were called to take a report, and the district obtained a restraining order that limited the woman to picking up her daughter and dropping her off at the school office, and meeting in prearranged sessions with teachers in the principal's office, McNabb said.

The girl is now attending another school, McNabb said.

``We still view the parent as someone with whom we want to work, and we want to act in the best interest of the child,'' McNabb said.

Under the proposed policy, employees shall report as soon as possible any verbal assault, threat or actual assault to the principal, who in turn will ``act promptly to respond to the immediate situation until calm is restored.''

The principal shall make the necessary reports to the superintendent, law enforcement and other appropriate agencies, the policy said.

The policy states, ``The Lancaster School District is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment. Every employee, student, parent or person present at a school or other district location has a right to perform their duties or participate in activities free from any verbal assaults, threats or actual physical assault.''