May 20, 2019 – City Council consideration.

The original concept of funding a School Resource Officer (SRO) to accomplish the goals and objectives of the grant was fully supported by the Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent. Significant public concern arose during the public process of bringing the matter of an SRO program, which would have been “housed” on the school campuses, to the School Board. The concerns were primarily focused on the SRO being armed on campus, a concern about the criminalization for school disciplinary issues, concern over possible targeting of minority students, and the lack of a Health Educator component aligned with the school districts strategic plan.

On February 24, 2019, the PUSD Board of Education voted 4-1 against the SRO model where the position would be housed on a campus. Board President Amal Smith provided direction to Superintendent Booker to continue discussions with Chief Bowers to determine the feasibility of an alternative model which addressed the concerns raised. Acknowledging the concerns and also understanding the challenges and opportunities which exist, Chief Bowers in collaboration with Superintendent Booker agreed to propose the following modifications:

• Instead of an SRO, the Department would establish a Juvenile Officer position which would be “housed” within the police department rather than on the PUSD campus.

On May 8, 2019, the PUSD Board of Education met to consider acceptance of the grant funds available through the modification. Superintendent Booker presented a 2-year plan which contained specific goals and accompanying actions to accomplish the goals (see Attachment #4). The plan included several actions which would be implemented in partnership and collaboration with the police department and specifically, the Juvenile Officer.

Examples of the specific actions include:

• The establishment of a diversion program for youth caught vaping, using drugs or alcohol on campus

• Analysis and implementation of vaping mitigation efforts such as possibly installing sensors which detect when someone is vaping

• Partner in the delivery of classroom lessons identified to meet the California Health Standards in PUSD

Read the full report for the May 20, 2019 Council meeting by clicking below: