School board rejects amended policy to allow Garfield student‑engagement officer pilot after hours of testimony

The Seattle School Board on Oct. 8 voted 5–2 against adopting an amended version of Board Policy 4311 that would have authorized a one‑year pilot placing a Seattle Police Department student engagement officer (SEO) at Garfield High School.

The board voted first to adopt an amendment from Director Michelle Mizrahi that narrowed the SEO role, required a school‑level complaint process, and directed the superintendent to provide a plan and timeline by Dec. 31, 2025, to collect data and assess the pilot. That amendment passed unanimously. After extended public testimony and board debate the full motion to adopt the revised policy failed, with Directors Clark and Mizrahi voting yes and five directors voting no.

The amendment approved by the board would have limited an SEO’s role to responding to external threats and providing liaison services, stated the SEO must not act as an enforcement arm of school administration, required a school‑site complaint process in addition to Office of Police Accountability (OPA) pathways, and asked staff to present program data and budget implications before any expansion beyond Garfield.

The proposal prompted hours of public…