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SF school board adopts resolution to end armed law‑enforcement presence on campuses and redirect funds to student supports
Summary
The board passed a comprehensive resolution declaring schools sanctuary spaces, directing staff not to cooperate in criminalizing students on campus, urging non‑renewal of the SFPD MOU, and asking the city and county to redirect police dollars toward counselors, restorative justice and community violence prevention programs.
The San Francisco Board of Education on June 23 adopted a sweeping resolution directing the district to move away from reliance on armed law enforcement in schools and to expand non‑police supports for students.
The measure, authored by Commissioner Allison Collins with co‑authors and broad community input, declares school campuses "sanctuary spaces" from law enforcement involvement for non‑criminal activity and directs the superintendent to prepare policies and protocols that limit law enforcement engagement with students. The resolution also calls on the city to redirect funding away from police toward community‑based services and to increase resources for school‑based social workers, psychologists and restorative‑justice practitioners.
Why it matters: Supporters argued the school‑to‑prison pipeline disproportionately harms Black students and students with disabilities and cited local incidents where law enforcement involvement escalated school situations. Opponents warned that some campus officers have helped build positive relationships in certain communities and urged a more nuanced, program‑by‑program approach rather than blanket termination.
What the resolution requires: Among other directives, the board asked the superintendent to convene a city–district working group to revise school safety plans (with community and parent input), to present recommendations for a robust restorative‑practices system by year‑end, and to forward a plan to the Board of Supervisors for aligning city policy to eliminate non‑emergency police contact for students and families. The resolution also called for screenings for bias and prejudice to guide hiring and training and recommended creation of a community‑school coordinator position.
Public reaction: The resolution drew large, emotional public comment — dozens of parents, students and union leaders spoke both for and against the move. Advocacy organizations and many student groups endorsed the action; some staff and parents asked the board to ensure alternatives are funded and implemented before police are removed from some campuses.
Implementation and next steps: The resolution contains milestones and reporting deadlines: the district must report on restorative practices and social‑emotional supports by Dec. 31, 2020, and the district will coordinate with city agencies to identify funding and staffing options. The board vote was recorded in the meeting minutes and the measure passed.
The passage is part of a national and local push to reexamine the role of police in schools; SFUSD’s resolution places the district among a small but growing list of U.S. school systems that have publicly moved to reduce or end school police presences.
