Board divided over adding six "school culture and safety assistant" positions; removal motion fails

The board considered a proposal to add six full-time "school culture and safety assistant" positions (targeted to middle schools) and a motion to remove that addition was brought forward. Ms. Watts moved to remove the six positions citing concerns they function as "mini police" in practice and that the district lacks consistent role definitions and training across schools. The motion to remove the addition failed on a split vote (3-3-1).

Superintendent representatives and the chief schools officer defended the positions as part of a broader, cross-divisional effort: Jenna Robinson, chief schools officer, said the positions are supervised, required to receive training that includes restorative practices, de-escalation and anti-bias work, and that principals who have the positions reported reductions in referrals and suspensions. "We have seen significant reductions in referrals, in suspensions, in altercations in all three of those schools," Robinson said, and principals had written to ask for expansion.

Board members opposing the additions pressed for a clearer, consistent job description, oversight and measurable feedback from students and staff. "Even on our school websites, they're all different," Ms. Moseley said, noting title, function and supervision inconsistencies across schools. Several members asked staff to collect 360-degree feedback (including student perspectives) and quantitative outcomes in the piloted schools before broader expansion.

What happens next: Because the removal motion failed, the proposed addition remains in the board's list of potential restorations/additions; staff committed to provide more detailed role definitions, supervision plans, professional-development schedules and outcome metrics to the board.