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Background
In Spring 2022, the state required districts to adopt a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with local police if the District has a School Resource Officer (SRO) Program. The new memorandum was presented to the Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee consideration at your meeting on August 25, 2022. At the meeting, the school committee considered several options: to adopt the MOU as outlined by the state, to have the policy subcommittee review the MOU for possible amendments, or to reconsider if the District will continue to pursue an SRO program.
On December 1, 2022, the School Committee heard public comment on the SRO Program. Recognizing the complexity of the issue and the range of community opinion on this important topic, the School Committee voted to establish a subcommittee composed of students, staff and families. The subcommittee was charged with making recommendations on the future of the SRO program. The sub-committee should include any additional suggestions as well. These suggestions can include additions to the MOU or alternatives to that program and possible funding sources.
Meetings of the SRO Subcommittee are open meetings and members of the public are welcome to attend.
Timeline
Spring 2022 - State requires Districts to Adopt Statewide MOU with local police of the District has an SRO Program
August 25, 2022 - Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee considers new MOU, and defers decision pending further public comment
December 1, 2022 - Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee hears public comment on the SRO program
December 15, 2022 - Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee votes to establish a subcommittee comprised of students, staff, administration and families
January 26, 2023 - After soliciting interest from members of the community, the Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee announcement the appointment of a 14 member committee of students, staff, administration and families.
February 28, 2023 - First meeting of the SRO Subcommittee. You can read more about our meetings on our Meetings and Minutes Page.
March 21, 2023 - Discussed subcommittee members individual experiences with the SRO program. Assigned research projects for members and began community survey development.
April 11, 2023 - The subcommittee formed working groups focused on reviewing relevant research and alternatives to the SRO program, collecting and reviewing ABSEJ and DEI Family Advisory materials, and conducting outreach to the Acton PD. The subcommittee focused much of the meeting on developing a community survey.
May 3, 2023 - The subcommittee met with Acting Chief of Police Cogan and Sergeant Campbell to more deeply understand the SRO program from the police perspective. The committee focused on finalizing community surveys.
May 8, 2023 - SRO Subcommittee solicits input from students, staff and families through a community survey. You can read more about this on our Survey Results Page.
May 23, 2023 - The subcommittee discussed preliminary survey data and responses, working group responsibilities for gathering information, and the timeline to update the full school committee about the work of the group.
June 8, 2023 - SRO Subcommittee provides Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee on progress made to date.
September 2023 - SRO Subcommittee will reconvene to continue its work
December 2023 - Anticipated timeline for the SRO subcommittee to make a recommendation to the Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee.
Subcommittee Members
Acton-Boxborough Regional School District Staff
Peter Light, Superintendent
James Marcotte, Principal, R.J. Grey JHS
Dana Labb, Principal, Blanchard Elementary
Maurin O'Grady, Associate Principal, ABRHS
Susan Root, School Psychologist, ABRHS
Tippett, Classroom Teacher, McCarthy-Towne School
Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee
Amy Krishnamurthy, Acton
Adam Klein, Boxborough (Subcommittee Chair)
Rebeccah Wilson, Acton
Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Students
Puja Saha, Student
Siri Shingireddi, Student
Community/Family Members
Kristin Graffeo, Parent
Ryan Farrell, Parent
Alia Layne, Parent
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