The death of George Floyd, a black man in Minnesota, has sparked national discussions on police brutality. Schools across the country, including one Phoenix school district, are using this moment to evaluate the presence of law enforcement officers on their campuses.
Already the Minneapolis Public Schools and Portland Public Schools districts have terminated discontinued their school resource officers programs.
On Thursday, the Phoenix Union High School District heard 62 public comments from current and past students, staff and community members urging it to do the same.
“Our students don’t need policing. They need support systems, counselors, enriching learning opportunities, nutritious meals, well-paid and dedicated teachers," one comment said.
Jay Peterson, who is a Latino teacher in the district, asked the board to commit to its ties with Phoenix police to show "true solidarity" with the communities of color it serves, especially the black community.
Last month, the board postponed its vote on renewing its school resource officer program with the Phoenix Police Department. The board didn’t immediately make a decision on Thursday on the future of program, citing that it needed more time.
Superintendent Chad Gestson said the board could make a decision by mid- to end of July.
"We commit to being authentic and listening and creating a model in which everyone feel safe, everyone feels heard and everybody, more importantly, feels like they are really a part of our community and family,"
