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Columbia Heights board approves annual youth outreach officer agreement after data review
Summary
The Columbia Heights Public Schools board voted to approve an annual agreement with the city for a youth outreach officer, citing district-specific revisions and department data showing improved campus safety; the agreement will be revisited each year.
The Columbia Heights Public Schools board voted to approve an annual youth outreach officer agreement with the Columbia Heights Police Department after reviewing data and changes required by state law.
Board Chair Granlund and other board members said the agreement incorporates state requirements and reflects a Columbia Heights–specific relationship with the police department aimed at serving students, families and staff. "This is an annual agreement, and so this is something that the board will take up each year," Jessica (Board member) said during discussion.
The board discussed that the agreement differs from prior contracts because it was revised to comply with changes in state law and the model policy noted in the record. Several board members praised regular check-ins with the police department and said the district had reviewed local data presented previously by Director Hennikins and Police Chief Markham. "We had the opportunity as a district and in partnership with the city to really look at what our current relationship is with the city and the officers in the school, and create an agreement that not only incorporates requirements under state statute, but that really is a good representation of what that relationship looks like," Chair Granlund said.
Supporters said the district's data show a positive effect on campus safety since the youth outreach officer model was tried, while acknowledging community concerns about police presence in schools. "The statistics show that we have a safer campus here in Columbia Heights because of that," Julie (Board member) said.
The motion to approve the youth outreach officer agreement passed by voice vote; the record reflects a voice vote with no roll-call tally provided.
The board and staff said the agreement will be revisited annually and that the district and city will continue regular coordination. The agreement and the data that informed the board's discussion were included in the board packet and were discussed at a prior work session.
