Jefferson Jr. High Adds Dean Position

Jefferson Jr. High School will welcome its first dean this fall. 

Brianne Malatt started this summer in the newly-created position, which will be devoted to handling disciplinary matters. The school also employs an assistant principal, who maintains the operation of the building.

That will free up more time for new Jefferson Principal Bill Schmidt to spend as an instructional leader for the school.  

District 68 Superintendent Cathy Skinner said Schmidt included having a dean in his vision for Jefferson when he was interviewed to be principal. 

"It's hard to be an instructional leader when your time is spent elsewhere and you're doing other things," Skinner said. 

The school is implementing a new framework for handing discipline.

Malatt will focus on implementing PBIS, or positive behavioral interventions and support, a new framework for Jefferson to address behavioral issues.

It's "a different way of looking at behavior," Skinner said. "It's reinforcing good behavior." 

According to pbis.org, "the system emphasizes: data for decision making, measurable outcomes supported and evaluated by data, practices with evidence that these outcomes are achievable and systems that efficiently and effectively support implementation of these practices."

The district recently edited the job description for its principals following a compliance check by the Regional Offices of Education, Skinner said at Monday's District 68 school board meeting.

That the principals must spend 51 percent of their time as instructional leaders was added to the job description.

The district undergoes a compliance check every five years.