Bothell High School students walk out over district ending SRO program
Bothell High students walk out over SRO vote
Hundreds of Bothell High School students staged a walkout Monday to protest the school board's decision to end the campus resource officer program.
BOTHELL, Wash. - Bothell High School students walked out of the classroom on Monday to protest the Northshore School District's decision to eliminate the campus School Resource Officer program.
The walkout follows a school district meeting on May 11, during which officials stated they intend to implement a safety plan that better aligns with the district's values. However, local students and parents said they were confused by the district's messaging.
Specifically, the district eliminated the position held by officer Garrett Ware.
Students walk out of Bothell High School over the district ending the SRO program. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Students object to WA school district ending SRO program
What they're saying:
Malik Lopez-Terron, a junior and president of the Black Student Union at Bothell High School, said he feels voices like his are misrepresented by the school board.
"We have had conversations during our club times about the SRO program," Lopez-Terron said. "And I can say only one student has ever expressed discomfort with our program. But we don't just remove a teacher whenever one student feels uncomfortable, and that student doesn't represent our values as a whole. But I do think they'd agree with me when I say the school feels safer with Officer Ware than with not."
Lopez-Terron said he hopes the school board reverses its decision.
Officer Garrett Ware has patrolled the campus and the surrounding neighborhood since 2017, drawing support from interviewed parents and students. Supporters have launched a Change.org petition to maintain the SRO program with Ware. The petition has gathered more than 3,000 signatures.
Students walk out of Bothell High School over the district ending the SRO program. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Controversial board meeting
Last week, dozens of people showed up to the district's board meeting, pleading to keep Officer Ware in school, to no avail.
"You are correct in saying you have elected all of us to represent you, but you also elect us to vote our conscience," said board member Carson Sanderson, before being interrupted by the concerned crowd.
Sanderson's comments sparked chatter and criticism among the audience.
"It concerns me that we are placing a police officer in a position as a confidant for students, encouraging them to tell him everything that concerns them or worries them when those things can be used against them legally," Sanderson said.
With the exception of Sandy Hayes, the other four board members voted to get rid of the SRO program. They indicated it was not anything personal against Officer Ware, but used words like racial, equity and educational justice in their dialogue before the vote.
"If I vote to continue this contract, I am continuing harm for one group who do not have the choice to opt out of the program," another board member stated.
Some of those who participated in the walkout on Monday believe district officials were misguided.
"They're using some reports of colored students feeling unsafe with an officer on campus, but they're not able to provide those reports," Lopez-Terron said.
"They voted without educating themselves on what he does at this school on a day-to-day basis. It's not just about safety, he engages with everyone on this campus; they adore him, they love him," said Erin Peistrup, a mother of Bothell High School students.
The response from the school district
Northshore School Board President Sandy Hayes issued the following statement after Monday's demonstration:
"The Northshore School Board is supportive of our students exercising their First Amendment rights and sharing their perspectives through peaceful protest. We recognize that our students and community members may hold differing perspectives regarding Board decisions and district issues. The ability to express disagreement respectfully and engage in civic dialogue is an important part of a healthy democratic society and an important aspect of our students' education."
Students walk out in support of Bothell, WA's SRO program
Some students at Bothell High School walked out of class today, as the district has moved to end their school resource officer program.
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The Source: Information in this story comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle reporter Taylor Winkel, as well as previous coverage from FOX 13 Seattle.