The Toronto and District School Board has voted to end the School Resource Officer (SRO) program. The outcome was well telegraphed beginning with publication of a staff report last week that called for such a decision. The vote was 18 to 3. At issue, as stated by trustees, was that some students (perhaps 2,000 out of 15,000) said they were uncomfortable and felt as if they were being watched by the police. There were heartfelt concerns expressed that these “intimidated” students should be free from such pressure. There was however opinion beyond the board that cancelling the program against the majority opinion was not the most sensible way to address the fears expressed by the minority.
At @tdsb Board meeting, discussing discontinuing the School Resource Officer (sro) program. Pic: Student Trustee @shamsmehdiTDSB speaking to it. So happy to be parent & Volunteer at a school (Leaside High) where such well-spoken students attend – impressed as always, kudos & thx! pic.twitter.com/VzK7nJ1Ode
— Wilmar Kortleever (@WKortleever) November 23, 2017
