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As we all work to improve how systems honor the lives of Black ppl & all citizens, #W7EC appreciates @councilofdc assessing police presence in our schools. We’re concerned abt the efficacy of @cmdgrosso’s resolution to disapprove DCPS security contract w/MPD *THREAD* 1/9
We must make sure that any $ divested from the security contract w/ Security Assurance Mgmt is directly invested at school level to improve safety & wellness of students & in-school staff in a non-punitive way. 2/9
What legislative action can @councilofdc take to ensure funds make it to schools? Our #Ward7 schools like @hdwoodsonshs have some of the largest school security budgets & we need to make sure that $ redirected from our security budgets stays in *our* schools. 3/9
How will we ensure that @dcpublicschools spends $ precisely as intended: on social supports & mental health services for students in our schools w/largest safety concerns? How will we prevent the misuse of $ that we have seen too frequently, particularly w/“at-risk” funding? 4/9
How we employ police in schools is a critical issue that deserves through analysis & review. We believe the optimal outcomes for school security will only be reached when school staff, community members & experts on security policy are fully engaged. 5/9
Authentic, effective engagement with all invested groups takes time to plan & implement—there is no short cut to it and no replacement for it. 6/9
Given all the uncertainty @dcpublicschools is navigating as we prepare to open schools during a pandemic, are we sure they can thoroughly analyze & vet a plan to re-allocate $ from the security contracts to student supports in time for the upcoming SY? 7/9
Perhaps, as our rep @VinceGrayWard7 has suggested, the convo re: if/how to defund the security contracts can take place as part of CM Gray’s police amendment. 8/9
#W7EC fully supports efforts to improve the status quo re: police presence in schools. But lawmakers must do their due diligence to make sure we are moving towards genuine, sustained improvements in school safety & student wellness, not simply reacting to the moment. 9/9
Again, we appreciate the @councilofdc attention to this matter. @cmdgrosso @kenyanmcduffie @RobertWhite_DC @VinceGrayWard7 @trayonwhite @AnitaBondsDC @CM_Silverman @BrianneKNadeau @brookeforward2 @marycheh @brandonttodd @charlesallen
