Amend the motion to include a stipulation that whatever model was selected would not include SROs stationed in 4J schools. Ms. Newman was reluctant to make these decisions before receiving more information. At the end of the day she wanted to create a safe environment to every student. Mr. Lafer clarified that the amendment meant that SROs might not be involved in the future, but if they were…
| Motion | Moved to amend the motion to include a stipulation that whatever model was selected would not include SROs stationed in 4J schools. Ms. Newman was reluctant to make these decisions before receiving more information. At the end of the day she wanted to create a safe environment to every student. Mr. Lafer clarified that the amendment meant that SROs might not be involved in the future, but if they were then their role would be different Ms. Shabram stated that she doesn’t believe that the current school safety model with SROs is appropriate. Ms. Levis stated she needed more clarity and data to understand the roles of the SROs. Mr. Torrey expressed that they were at the point where they could vote on the current issue. Ms. Hays said she doesn’t know everything that SROs do in the schools and was reluctant to move forward with the decision. She stated the board want everyone to feel safe. Mr. Lafer said the board wants to create a system that is safe for everyone. He favored making a decision about SROs now rather than delaying it. Ms. Shabram stated that the board can continue to see data and get clarification on what the SROs do but continuing to have officers in the schools is harmful and the way the current model is set up doesn’t work. Ms. Newman agreed the current school safety model needs to be replaced but expressed concern with bringing in people under a new model who don’t know how to deal with an issue at a school, haven’t had the proper training or haven’t formed a relationship with students. 4J Regular Board Meeting Minutes June 17, 2020 Mr. Lafer stated that he understood the value to Ms. Newman’s comments. However, he feels that spending money on a police presence in schools is misplaced and those funds should be used to provide support for students, such as mental health counselors or campus coordinators, among other things. Ms. Shabram noted there’s a systematic problem within policing that the board can’t fix by continuing to have a specially trained individual respond to schools. Ms. Walston expressed that they all can agree that the current system isn’t working but that it is not the fault of the current four SROs but that of the system and systemic racism. Ms. Shabram replied that the important distinction is that they are not proposing to never have a contract with EPD but that it would not look as it does now. Mr. Lafer stated that he is concerned that they are creating a situation where they are demanding people of color and indigenous people to do more and more work on the issue to convince the board before it can act and make a decision. Ms. Hays added she agreed they needed to prove to people that they understand without further convincing. She also stated a bold statement needs to be made. Ms. Walston stated that the outcome should be clear to all the people to avoid confusion. Ms. Levis stated that she will not vote for something that is the same as it is now. Mr. Lafer stated that what they are voting on is to no longer have SROs in the schools. Ms. Shabram agreed. Ms. Walston expressed her concern on removing all SROs from the schools |
|---|---|
| Moved by | Martina Shabram |
| Seconded by | Gordon Lafer |
| Member votes | Result per minutes; member votes not yet verified |
| Result | Passed 5:2 per minutes Result as stated in the minutes. |
| Agenda item / resolution | — |
| Minutes | Official minutes, page 8 |
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