SEO & Community Safety Forum • 9/9
Learn more about proposed School Engagement Officer (SEO) at Garfield, and take advantage of these important opportunities to have your opinion and questions heard.
Hosted by Dr. Tarance Hart, Principal – Garfield High School and Fred Podesta, Interim Superintendent – Seattle Public Schools.
• Sept 16th 6pm PTSA General Mtg – Garfield library
• Sept 17th -4:15pm Seattle School Board vote on SEO
https://www.seattleschools.org/board-meetings School Engagement Officer
SEO Overview
CALL to ACTION: Garfield has had a dedicated police officer present outdoors on campus for much of the past year. The response from students and staff has been overwhelmingly positive, and incidents of violence around the school dropped significantly last year. The presence of a dedicated officer will end within 30 days unless the Seattle School Board votes on September 17th to move forward with a more formal pilot program allowing a “School Engagement Officer” to work at Garfield.
What is an SEO and why are we talking about it?
In the wake of recent gun violence around Garfield, many students, staff and families have been asking for increased security on campus.
Based on input from the Garfield community (students, staff, principal, families), a School Engagement Officer (SEO) is a model that many support bringing to Garfield through a pilot program. But this requires the Seattle School Board to discontinue their moratorium that banned any police officers from working in school buildings. We have previously advocated that the Board only grant an exception for Garfield and not make changes that would affect the whole district.
Police officers in schools is a controversial idea. What measures would be taken to ensure that the officer’s presence would be positive and welcomed by students?
The pilot program structure and selection of the right officer for this position are being considered carefully with the student experience and student safety at the forefront of the discussion. The SEO’s attire will be more casual, while still clearly identifying as a police officer, they will wear polo shirts and khaki pants. Their other gear will be limited (e.g. no less-lethal weapons). As a police officer, who must be ready to respond in case of an emergency, and to comply with state law, the SEO will carry a sidearm (i.e. handgun) in a holster worn at the hip or waist. They will not have other weapons.
Is there an officer in mind for this?
Yes. Officer Ella Brooks, who has already been working in a temporary position at Garfield for the past year with a noticeable positive impact.
What can I do?
Attend the Sept. 9 Community Safety forum
Attend Sept 17th SPS Board Meeting on support for Garfield and SEO.
Come to the Sept. 16 PTSA meeting
Write to Seattle School Board members:
Gina.Topp@seattleschools.org
brandon.hersey@seattleschools.org
michelle.sarju@seattleschools.org (represents Garfield)
jemizrahi@seattleschools.org
Evan.Briggs@seattleschools.org
liza.rankin@seattleschools.org
sdclark@seattleschools.org