LAUSD Board To Discuss Reforms To LA School Police

The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education will consider three resolutions to reform the Los Angeles School Police at its next meeting on June 23.

The three resolutions, published in the agenda for next week's meeting, were put forward by board members Mónica García, Jackie Goldberg and George McKenna.

"Reimagining School Safety and Investing in Our Highest Need Students"

García's resolution focuses on the school police budget. If passed, it would require Superintendent Austin Beutner to drastically reduce the Los Angeles School Police budget over the next three years, starting with a 50% reduction in the 2021-2022 school year and rising to a 90% reduction by 2023-2024.

Keep up with LAist.

If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.

Subscribe

The resolution calls for the funds to be reallocated "to the highest need schools in support of African American students."

"Reexamining the Role of the Los Angeles School Police Department and Reimagining Safety in Our Schools"

Goldberg's resolution calls for the creation of an "action planning group" that would explore whether the district needs its own school police department and review whether LASPD’s current policies "are appropriate for the role of a school police department, particularly with regard to use of force, use of K-9 units, pepper spray, and detention for arrest protocols."

Goldberg's resolution also would require changes to how the district's police department hires, what officers wear, and where they are stationed on campus. It also calls for a ban on using pepper spray until the planning group makes its findings in July.

"Reaffirming Our Commitment to School Safety for Our Students"

McKenna is calling to establish a committee to look at school police data and reports, and to make recommendations related to policies and training. Board members would appoint parents, educators, students, and community safety experts to this group.

According to the resolution, that group would also make recommendations to the board and superintendent by the end of August "to ensure peaceful and safe campuses and reaffirming the role of LASPD in ensuring safe, peaceful, and respectful engagements on our campuses and within our school communities."

Earlier this week, Beutner said he will recommend the board adopt policies banning the use of pepper spray and a controversial restraint called the carotid control hold. Beutner also said the district will review the school police budget over the summer.

The board will consider the resolutions exactly a week after grassroots group Students Deserve led a march calling to defund the district's school police force.

You can read the full text of the resolutions in the agenda for Tuesday's meeting below:

READ MORE:

• Could LAUSD Disband Its School Police Department?
• LAUSD Superintendent Wants School Police Ban On Pepper Spray And Controversial Neck Hold
• Should LAUSD Get Rid Of Its Police Dept?

Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.