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Terrina Picarello has heard a "mouthful" from teachers, counselors and social workers about challenges addressing student misbehavior in Guilford County Schools.

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But the paltry turnout so far from parents has Picarello wondering how much weight their concerns and ideas will have in a final report due to the Board of Education in January.

The board charged a committee of school employees, community members and law enforcement officers in April with seeking public input and recommending ways to improve school climate and to reduce student suspensions.

"I am disappointed that more parents are not coming to these forums," said Picarello, task force co-chairwoman. "If we have citizens that want to complain but not show up and make any changes, then we need to know that's where we are."

About 31 people — mostly task force and school board members — attended a forum at Grimsley High School on Tuesday, a step up from the "terrible" turnouts Picarello described at two previous meetings held at a High Point church and Eastern Middle School.

At least two more forums are scheduled: 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 29 at Southern Middle School and 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 at the Roy B. Culler Senior Center in High Point.

The task force also plans to survey teachers, students and parents this year about how they perceive classroom environments.

"I'm most worried about the parents because if we don't have enough numbers to make it statistically significant, then it's not worth it," Picarello said.

Those who did attend the Grimsley forum discussed ideas for improving discipline and relationships between students, parents, school resource officers and educators. Proposals included creating contractual behavior agreements between students and principals, revamping in-school suspension programs and adding home visits to parents of students at risk of having behavior problems.

Grimsley parent Kim Kirkman questioned the district's goal of reducing suspensions. Her son suffered serious injuries when he was assaulted by students at the school in September.

"I would like for Guilford County Schools to have safety strategies they feel they could stand behind and not be concerned about what the numbers look like," Kirkman said.

Jeff Belton, school board member, said he sees the public's input as valuable, despite the low turnout.

"I think parents are asking for alternatives for students who have behavior issues," Belton said. "I hope we have started to address them with the (alternative) High School Ahead and twilight schools."

Contact Morgan Josey Glover at 373-7078 or mjosey@news-record.com