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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2021-07-26 @1:00 Page 1 of 3 SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT CITY LIAISON SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING Minutes of the Meeting on Monday, July 26, 2021 CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID -19) NOTICE This meeting was conducted pursuant to the provisions of the Governor’s Executive Or der N-35-20 issued on March 21, 2020 allowing for deviation of teleconference rules required by the Brown Act and pursuant to the order of the Health Officer of San Mateo County dated March 16, 2020 as this meeting is necessary so that the South San Francisco Unified School District can conduct necessary business and is permitted under the order as an essential governmental function. CALL TO ORDER - 1:10 p.m. by Board Clerk Patricia Murray Members present: Trustee Patricia Murray Mayor Mark Addiego Vice Mayor Mark Nagales Also in attendance: Superintendent Shawnterra Moore City Manager Mike Futrell Assistant Superintendent Jay Spaulding Police Chief Jeff Azzopardi Director Ryan Sebers Public Comments – The following individuals provided public comment: ▪ Eddy Holman ▪ Marcela Rivera ▪ Russell Lee ▪ Liliana Rivera ▪ Samantha Avila 1.) MOTION (Nagales/Addiego) to approve the minutes of the June 8, 2021 City Subcommittee meeting. Motion Carried. (Unanimous) 2.) Discussion of the SSFUSD and SSF PD School Liaison Officers MOU Superintendent Moore said the Board had directed staff to work on the parameters for the School Liaison Officers (SLO’s) program on school campuses. In June, a preliminary MOU was reviewed by both District and City staff. On July 20, following input from City Council, the SSFUSD school board, and members of the community, a revised MOU was created with explicit items being called out and was being reviewed today. This version (#9) is based on an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory MOU which clearly articulated the roles of the two agencies and the established expectations for school staff to follow. She said District staff is clear on when to contact SLO’s or when they should be handling disciplinary issues themselves. The MOU also has an updated performance review and program assessment which will help to monitor the impact of the program and determine whether it is meeting the established goals. Today’s discussion will include an opportunity for any additional insights. Mr. Futrell pointed out in the MOU that both District and City staff will work together throughout the year on various issues such as training. He said there would likely be annual tweaks to the MOU. This is the first time the City and District’s relationship has been memorialized regarding the SLO program. This formalized collaboration means they can refine the MOU to meet the intent of making the program successful. He noted one amendment whereby SLO’s would not wear a full on uniform, but have a more casual approach by dressing in a polo-type shirt and slacks. Dr. Moore stated that the following MOU language was added after Page 2 of 3 the agenda for this meeting was posted, “When serving in the role of a School Liaison Officer on school campuses, and when practical, officers will wear a designated alternate uniform to present a more casual appearance (example, polo shirt with utility slacks). Officers may have all necessary safety equipment for the performance of their duties to include a bullet-resistant vest worn under their clothing and all use of force tools to allow for appropriate de-escalation.” Mr. Futrell noted that there may be times when an SLO needs to respond to a City emergency, but the City prefers they have a casual look and will work with the District on what that would be. Vice Mayor Nagales questioned who would pay for the training which was mentioned in the MOU. Mr. Futrell stated that the City has always paid for training officers and recommended they continue to do so going forward. Vice Mayor Nagales requested this be included in the MOU. Vice Mayor Nagales asked, under the role and responsibilities section for SLO’s, what restraints and seclusion means. He said it is traumatic when a student is arrested in school and asked how this could be handled in a non-public setting. Chief Azzopardi said it is easier than it was in the past. He noted that only one student in the two years before COVID-19 was handcuffed. This was an old mindset to send a message to students with which he never agreed. He said no student would be arrested during lunch and their goal is to not take anyone out in handcuffs, but to walk the student out with no one seeing the interaction. He added that a Principal, Assistant Principal, or Counselor is always present with the police and a student. If a situation is deemed unsafe for others, police may need to use handcuffs. Vice Mayor Nagales referenced an MOU item regarding how investigations are conducted on campus. He asked if a school administrator requests an SLO and since they initiated the assistance, they would be responsible for the questioning and potential search of a locker. Chief Azzopardi replied that has always been the case. Vice Mayor Nagales asked if a criminal act had been determined would the questioning and searching become the SLO’s responsibility. Chief Azzopardi said the SLO’s and school staff continue to work together. The school has the authority over administrative searches. Vi ce Mayor Nagales questioned whether police can go onto campus regarding an off-campus incident. Chief Azzopardi replied the SLO and school administrators would continue to work together if the incident happened on campus. If something occurred off campus and police need to go to a school to speak with the student, that would have nothing to do with the school as it is a criminal investigation and the responsibility is that of the officer. The majority of calls are for administrative searches which the District has the authority over. Chief Azzopardi said they have moved away from this and try to speak to the student off campus. Vice Mayor Nagales asked and Chief Azzopardi confirmed that a school administrator is present when a student is questioned on c ampus. Vice Mayor Nagales inquired at what point a student’s parents are notified that their child is being questioned by the police. Chief Azzopardi said the laws around interviewing a juvenile, whether or not it happens on campus or not, have changed. A student is read their rights immediately, parents are contacted, and a County official is assigned to them right away. Vice Mayor Nagales questioned the review process. He asked if there is a complaint regarding an SLO, would it be handled by their supervisor who, along with a school administrator, would try to mediate it. Chief Azzopardi confirmed the process. Vice Mayor Nagales asked if it is not resolved, would it be elevated to Chief Azzopardi and a school administrator. Chief Azzopardi confirmed that an SLO complaint would be given to their supervisor and he becomes part of the discussion with Mr. Sebers and Dr. Moore to see if the situation can be fixed. He added that if the District is uncomfortable with an SLO on their campuses, he would remove that officer, but that has not happened in four years. Vice Mayor Nagales spoke about the yearly review of the MOU. He suggested that even if there are no changes, it should not be “automatically renewed” and asked that those words be removed. He recommended the City Subcommittee would review the MOU annually before it is provided to the City and the Board for approval. Trustee Murray said it could go to the City Subcommittee, but having staff review it would be good enough for her. Mayor Addiego said the City Subcommittee could review the MOU at any time and that process may not need to be formalized. Mayor Addiego asked how many students had been arrested on campus in the past two years (prior to COVID). Chief Azzopardi replied that one student and one teacher had been arrested in that time. Mayor Addiego inquired about the circumstances with the student arrest. Chief Azzopardi said the student had used a lock in the form of brass knuckles and punched another student several time. Mayor Addiego said that situation seems violent enough to warrant an arrest. Trustee Murray acknowledged the wonderful collaboration between the City and District and thanked Dr. Moore, Mr. Futrell, and their staffs. She said the MOU is student-centered, discusses student rights, anti- Page 3 of 3 racism, accountability, training, and focused on relationship building, an important skill for students to learn since it is a part of their education. Next steps: Trustee Murray asked for the SLO dress code amendment to be added to the MOU. Mr. Futrell asked for an amendment to be added stating that the “the City of SSF will bear the cost of SLO training.” Mayor Addiego said he asked, at a previous City Subcommittee meeting, if the MOU is not approved by both the City and the school board before the start of school, would officers be on campus. Dr. Spaulding said the District would not call the police and they would not respond until the MOU is approved. Mr. Sebers added that in situations where administrators have their scope of discretion and are calling, in a consultative manner, for police assistance, the District would proceed with its standard internal procedures. Mayor Addiego asked if SLO’s would not be on campus without an MOU. Dr. Moore confirmed that in a recent Board discussion, it was agreed that without a signed MOU by both agencies in place, the program would be suspended. Mayor Addiego said since school starts in three weeks, City Council needs to act this week. He asked about the Board’s plans. Trustee Murray said the Board could hold a special meeting if everyone was in agreement. Mayor Addiego said the MOU approval would be added to Wednesday’s City Council agenda and then it would be up to the Board to make it happen. Mr. Futrell asked how he would reference the actions of the City Subcommittee today when the City Council is presented with the MOU. The MOU was then formally endorsed as follows. 3.) MOTION (Nagales/Addiego) to approve the SLO MOU (version #9) with the City Council and the school district with the two amendments included. Motion Carried. (Unanimous) Adjournment at 1:58 p.m.