As county commissioners hatch plans for a multimillion-dollar jail expansion, the Billings Public School system is taking a different approach to addressing youth violence and crime by training school staff to teach conflict resolution skills.

In the new Billings schools program, wrongdoing and conflict are viewed as learning opportunities. Misbehavior is reframed as harming people and relationships, rather than breaking school rules.

The grant-funded restorative practices training for 30 elementary school and 30 middle school staff, including teachers, counselors, and principals, which was conducted by a Colorado-based non-profit called Restorative Justice Education.

“It’s not the removal of consequences, but the addition of strategies,” Burkhardt said.

The foundation of the program is building community in schools, through a daily community building circle that gives students the opportunity to connect with one another.

Billings Gazette: Billings Schools program views wrongdoing as a 'learning opportunity'