LYNNWOOD, Wash. (AP) - A school district in Washington state has cut ties with local police departments, ending contracts with resource officers at high schools amid national outcry over racial injustice against Black people.
The Edmonds School Board of Directors voted unanimously Tuesday to end contracts with the Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace police departments after weeks of debate with residents and students, the Daily Herald reported.
“It is unacceptable that students are hurting and feel unsafe in our schools. We are determined to review our current school safety plans and will make the systemic changes necessary to ensure the safety and wellness of all students,” School Board President Deborah Kilgore said.
Meadowdale, Edmonds-Woodway and Mountlake Terrace High School will no longer have on-campus officers.
“While I completely understand the desire and sense of urgency to immediately address community concerns surrounding social injustices, I believe that this decision was borne out of emotion, not data, and was hastily undertaken,” Edmonds Police Chief Jim Lawless said.
Lawless added: “I am disappointed that this process was not more deliberative and inclusive of all parties involved – the district, students, faculty, staff, and yes, the police department.”
During the meeting, the board also welcomed the district’s new superintendent Gustavo Balderas and tasked him with drafting a safety plan for the high schools.
“We agree that student safety is a top priority,” Balderas said. “I look forward to working with the board to review the overall safety and wellness plans currently in place. I will then work with students, staff, families and community members to propose a new and improved safety plan for all of our students.”
The board is also expected to decide on its contract with the Snohomish County sheriff’s office in August. The department provides a resource officer for Lynnwood High School.
Board Director Gary Noble has raised concerns over slow response times to the high school in the unincorporated county.
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