Santa Rosa school board approves MOU to restore school resource officers after contentious public debate

The Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Education voted March 25 to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Santa Rosa Police Department to reestablish a School Resource Officer (SRO) program, passing the measure on a roll-call vote with four trustees in favor and three voting against (including the student board member).

The vote follows more than two hours of public comment and trustee discussion that focused on training schedules, what data the police would collect and share, who would pay for the program, and whether language to address racialized disproportionality and limits on officersconduct had been weakened during MOU negotiations.

Supporters said officers are a necessary part of a comprehensive safety plan and urged trustees to approve the agreement so the city and police department could pursue grants and other funding. Opponents said SROs risk criminalizing students, especially students of color and students with disabilities, and that the district is cutting counselors and restorative staff while reintroducing police to campuses.

Public comment highlighted the division in the community. Melissa Stewart, a resident who addressed the board, urged trustees to approve the MOU and set a start date, saying, "Please do the right thing this time. Don't…