Bay Area school district’s plan to curb violence through nonviolent means

WEST CONTRA COSTA Unified is looking at the sources of conflict and misbehavior on campus, then teaching students the social and emotional skills they may need to avoid violence.

In his first year in office, Superintendent Kenneth “Chris” Hurst wants to reduce the number of violent incidents, such as fights and bullying, by 20 percent by the end of the school year and bring down the number of incidents involving weapons by 50 percent. So far, the district is on track to surpass that goal and may adopt a goal of even fewer violent incidents, especially those involving weapons.