Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Safety Sros topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Charlottesville board votes to implement School Resource Officer model after months of debate
Summary
After extended public comment and internal debate over police involvement in schools, the Charlottesville City School Board voted to implement an SRO model and directed staff to develop a memorandum of understanding with the police department; the vote was 4–2.
The Charlottesville City School Board voted March 27 to implement a School Resource Officer model and asked the superintendent to work with the Charlottesville Police Department on a draft memorandum of understanding.
The decision follows months of work by staff and community input and a lengthy discussion at the meeting. Miss Powell, who led the presentation of the process, said staff convened a multi‑disciplinary working group to review the pros and cons of SROs and to draft what an MOU would look like if the board chose to proceed.
Supporters said the model and a clear MOU would fill gaps in current safety practices and allow targeted collaboration with CPD. "We were charged back in March to go forth and look at an SRO model and build an MOU around that and bring it back to you all," Superintendent Dr. Gurley said during board discussion, adding that staff had presented data on calls and responses and were carrying out the work assigned by the board.
Opponents raised concerns about policing in schools and disparate impacts on Black, brown and disabled students. Alex Heintzeman, a parent who spoke during public comment, urged the board to stop the process and cited local and national research on harms associated with police in schools: "If you don't want our schools policed, if you don't want those things, then don't put police in our schools," Heintzeman said.
Board members debated alternatives, timing and CPD participation. Board discussion focused on (1) whether CPD should actively participate now or wait until the board directs development of an SRO model, (2) whether the working group should include board members, and (3) the need for clear guiding criteria and measurable outcomes.
After failed amendments to postpone the decision to May 1 and to a later October date, the final motion to implement the SRO model (mover: Mister Meyer; second: Miss Burns) passed by roll call: Miss Burns (yes), Mister Meyer (yes), Mister Morse (yes), Miss Richardson (no), Miss Torres (no), Miss Dooley (yes). The board instructed staff to return with a draft MOU and any corresponding budget implications.
Next steps: staff will continue drafting the MOU in consultation with CPD and will bring the proposed agreement and budget implications to the board for future consideration per the timeline agreed at the meeting.
