Media availability with Councilmembers Jawando and Riemer on new legislation to remove school resource officers from Montgomery County Public Schools

For Immediate Release: Friday, November 13, 2020

WHAT: Online media availability 

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 17 at noon

WHO: 

Councilmember Will Jawando Councilmember Hans Riemer Avery Smedley, student, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Students Towards Equitable Schools Lisa Hack, MCPS media specialist Stephanie Joseph, Public Defender’s Office Hashim Jabar, parent, Racial Justice Now Former Montgomery County Public Schools student

HOW: The media availability will be conducted via Zoom. Members of the media who wish to participate must register ahead of time by contacting Mirchaye Sahlu at Mirchaye.Sahlu@montgomerycountymd.gov. The press availability will also be streamed live on the Council’s Facebook page.

TOPIC: New legislation and budget proposal spearheaded by Councilmembers Jawando and Riemer to remove student resource officers (SROs) from Montgomery County Public Schools and reallocate funding for mental health services and restorative justice.

Bill 46-20, Police – School Resource Officers – Prohibited, would prohibit the deployment of SROs in Montgomery County Public Schools. The goal of the bill is to address disparities in outcomes among Black and Latino students who have interactions with SROs. The legislation is expected to save approximately $3 million each year. This funding would be redirected for student, after school service hubs, recreational therapeutic group activities and restorative justice training for MCPS educators and staff.

The Council staff report for Bill 46-20 can be viewed here.

 

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Release ID: 20-452
Media Contact: Mirchaye Sahlu 240-547-7942, Sonya Healy 240-777-7926