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Board tables decision on middle school SRO and proposed restorative-justice role; discussion to continue Wednesday
Summary
The board deferred action on removing a middle-school school resource officer (SRO) line item and replacing it with a restorative-justice/juvenile-justice position. The tabling motion passed 6-3; the substantive personnel motion remains open for future consideration.
The Concord School District Board tabled a proposal on personnel changes that would have removed the safety resource officer (SRO) line item for Runlet Middle School and redirected funds toward a restorative-justice/juvenile-justice position. The motion to table the proposal until the board's Wednesday meeting passed on a 6-3 roll-call vote.
The deferred proposal began as a multipart suggestion from several board members. One proposal would have removed the district's director of DEIJ (diversity, equity, inclusion and justice) from the budget (a line-item amount cited in the meeting packet as $136,071) and use those funds to add a restorative-justice/juvenile-justice position (roughly budgeted at $100,000 in discussions) while also eliminating the SRO line (a $101,000-plus line in the packet).
Board members and administrators discussed the practical and philosophical issues behind those requests. Principal Richard and other administrators described operational needs at Runlet Middle School and the benefits they have seen from an on-site SRO in past roles, including relationship-building and crisis support. Others on the board raised concerns about policing inside schools and said they preferred a social-worker or restorative-justice professional with juvenile-justice experience. Administration noted potential grant opportunities (Project AWARE and others) but cautioned that many grants require multi-year commitments and are not a year-long trial.
Because the proposed staffing changes intersect with an ongoing equity audit by Great Schools Partnership and pending grant awards (grant outcomes expected in April for some positions), board members sought additional time. Miss Robinson moved to remove the SRO line item and reallocate the DEIJ director funds; Miss Maker seconded. Following discussion, a motion to table the matter to Wednesday, moved and seconded by board members, passed 6-3 (roll-call recorded in the transcript). While tabled, the budget remains in its current status quo until the board reconvenes.
Ending: Administration and board members agreed to return Wednesday with clearer job descriptions, grant-status information, and concrete salary/benefit numbers so the board can weigh the trade-offs between SRO staffing and restorative-justice staffing.
