According to information from Monday’s joint committee hearing by county councilmembers on school safety, restorative justice and community engagement officers revealed that so far this school year, calls to Montgomery County Police for assistance are down.
During the 2021-22 school year, there were 2,814 school service calls. So far this school year, there have been 1,329. However, during the previous school year, police and community engagement officers made three arrests as compared to the 13 arrests made so far this school year.
Bias incidents are up considerably. There were 100 reported bias incidents so far this year compared to last year’s full school year, when there were 65. Last month had the most incidents. In February, there were 42, according to officials from Montgomery County Public Schools.
The school district is working on reducing the number of suspensions and expulsions and increasing the number of incidents that get referred for restorative justice. This school year, there are nine staff members involved in restorative justice. There were only three last year.
According to MCPS, “restorative justice is a mindset and philosophy toward school climate and relationship building.” It allows students to participate in disciplinary matters and helps them take responsibility for their actions. Students work with those they have affected or harmed to teach them to build relationships, create connections and prevent problems before they occur, according to MCPS.
“The goal is not to remove students from learning situations. That really doesn’t work,” said Damon Monteleone, associate superintendent.
During the previous school year, many more male students were suspended than girls. About 67% of suspensions involved boys to 33% for girls.
This year, the school district also is emphasizing the inclusion of parents following incidents, officials said.
Of reported serious incidents, 19.4% concerned alcohol and drugs, 9.1% involved fights and attacks involving students, 14.6% involved weapons and 53.6% were calls for medical assistance.
During the last school year, 218 weapons, including knives and guns, were recovered from schools.
On school buses, there were 162 serious incidents reported, but Dana Edwards, chief of the Office of Districtwide Services and Support, said that was a small number out of the 148,680 bus routes operated during that time.
“Obviously, school safety is the utmost concern for all of us,” said Councilmember Sidney Katz. Councilmember Will Jawando agreed, stating, “All of our kids need to be safe, and all of our staff.”
Councilmember Gabe Albornoz called it “unacceptable” that so many people feel unsafe in county schools. But he said that locking some bathroom doors, as MCPS has done recently, “is not a solution.”
🎥 Restorative Justice is being discussed this morning at the County Council with representatives from MCPS (links below ⬇️) https://t.co/7ThHhjbjLx pic.twitter.com/JtZTPwu78B
— Kristin Mink (@KristinMink_) March 20, 2023
