Parents, staff defend SRO; Dayton board advances resolution to protect paraprofessionals during licensure process
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Multiple public commenters urged the board to give SRO Bruce Hobson due process; the board later approved a resolution coordinated with Local 643 to preserve jobs for paraprofessionals who complete pending licensure or certification requirements.
During the public‑comment portion of the Nov. 11 Dayton Public Schools board meeting, educators, parents and union representatives urged the board to ensure due process for school resource officer Bruce Hobson and to treat any disciplinary process with transparency and fairness.
ASPE staff representative Tara Bentley told the board HR had asked for Hobson’s termination “without progressive discipline” and asked the board to “step back, look at the facts, make sure this process is free from bias.” Several parents and a school‑based SRO described Hobson as a compassionate presence and said his absence had changed building climates.
Later in the meeting Superintendent Lawrence introduced a resolution developed with Local 643 and legal counsel to address paraprofessionals who face licensure or certification delays. The resolution, explained Lawrence, is intended to ensure that paraprofessionals who finish required paperwork and certification processes will have their jobs available when their licensure is finalized. Board members asked whether the district had communicated individually with affected staff; administration said they had been waiting on the board vote and that HR and board members had been engaging with state education officials to help affected employees.
Board member Smith pressed the administration to improve communications procedures when employees face possible termination or unpaid leave, calling for phone calls and in‑person follow‑up instead of only email notifications. The board discussed Ohio licensure rules and the district’s 60‑day limit on employing staff while licenses are pending under Ohio law.
The resolution developed with Local 643 was moved and approved; the board also advanced follow‑up HR and communications tasks to ensure staff received needed support while licenses are resolved.
What’s next: administration and HR will coordinate communication and provide clarification to affected staff about timelines, supports and next steps; the board asked for ongoing updates.