LAUSD Will Replace Some School Cops With ‘Climate Coaches.’ What Does That Mean?

The L.A. Unified School Board has voted to cut one-third of the school police force and use the money saved to hire an array of counselors, social workers and “climate coaches.”

So what is a "climate coach?"

They would prevent fights — and de-escalate fights that do break out, according to Joseph Williams, director of operations and campaigns for Students Deserve, the group that proposed the climate coach position.

"We don't need police and handcuffs," he said. "I speak from personal experience as somebody who was criminalized at 13 years old and spent time in a juvenile detention center and was charged with assault and battery for getting in a fight with another kid."

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• Who Are 'Climate Coaches' LAUSD Plans To Hire In Place Of Cops?

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