I'm at a @tdsb committee meeting where the police in schools (SRO) program is on the agenda. staff have recommended cancelling the program. a decision by this committee is the next step. follow me for updates 
naima raza of @TOYouthCabinet asks why the @tdsb has ignored voices of those harmed by the SRO program. "why are we asking officers to do the work of the social worker, the teacher, the community organization?"
andre breau is co-chair of the parent council at western tech. he says his group supports cancelling the program, but wants to be part of a "pilot project" to improve police-student relations
gita madan of the group education not incarceration: police represent a "zero tolerance" approach, which the tdsb has abandonned in part because it disproportionately harms racialized and disabled students"
.@philldmorgan of education not encarceration: police in schools "steal the imagination of our youth...by pushing them out with intimidation and fear."
kumsa baker grew up in lesliville and was one of few black students at a school with an SRO. he was one of 4 black kids pulled from class by police and falsely accused of possessing drugs. he is so brave to share this story—deep respect
andrea and SylviaArgentina of @LAENToronto: "equitable decisions are not a popularity contest or a majority vote." LAEN has created a petition calling for an end to cops in schools change.org/p/immediately-…
karl gardiner of @nooneisillegal calls it "ridiculous" to pretend that police in schools are not gathering info on our kids just because they act as sports coaches and mentors
the committee is taking a 15 minute break now. we anticipate a vote when we resume. stay tuned...
we're back, and now trustees are debating the motion on police in schools
trustee @maritstiles says mayor @JohnTory wants tdsb to wait for more study before making a decision on cops in schools. "he should be with us today supporting these recommendations [to cancel program]"
trustee @pamelagough says that while she initially supported cops in schools, "my thinking has evolved." gough now supports the recommendation to cancel the police program
trustee @kenlister1 says he's unhappy with the process that led to staff's recommendation to remove police. he is worried about how schools fight "islamophobia, anti-semitism, and homophobia" once police are gone. yes, you read that correctly...
I haven't livetweeted a municipal committee in months, forgot how...procedural they can be. we're nearly 4 hours into this item. my eyeballs hurt
trustee @jenniferstoryTO: there is no way that one person, even a police officer, can guarantee safety in our schools. trusting relationships are the key to safety. story supports cancelling the police program
hmm! replying to a question, tdsb senior staffer @JSpyropoulos agrees that the SRO program has contributed to the surveillance of @tdsb students. don't think I've heard the tdsb acknowledge this fact so openly. it's a significant statement
ok debate is over. here comes the vote!
NEWS: a @tdsb committee has unanimously approved a motion to cancel the police in schools (SRO) program. a final vote goes before the whole board next week
here's part of the group that showed up tonight: shoutout @BLM_TO, @LAENToronto, @enitoronto, @jfaap, and many more
