Northern Community Mediation (NCM) was one of three Citizen Dispute Resolution Program (CDRP) centers in the state of Michigan that participated in a pilot project relating to Restorative Practices (RP) in schools. This collaborative effort included the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO), Western Michigan University, Boyne City High School and Pellston High School.

In each of the two high schools, there was a RP Coordinator, whose role was to be proactive by intervening as soon as conflicts that involve students arise. By using facilitative mediation techniques, the RP Coordinators helped the students themselves resolve their conflicts. As a result, the schools maintained a less punitive approach to discipline and more of a positive problem solving atmosphere.

NCM began participating in this pilot project in January 2017. The grant ran through June 2018. Although the funding for the project was no longer available, Boyne City High School continued with the program. Unfortunately, school funding was drastically reduced as a result of COVID-19. Hence, the RP Coordinator’s position had to be eliminated. It is the desire of NCM to locate funding so that the RP Coordinator could be re-hired at Boyne City High School, but also  so that RP Coordinators could be hired in other high schools within the Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District service area.

Click on the link below for a copy of the evaluation of the pilot project by Western Michigan University.

Restorative Practices Report on School Truancy & Suspensions