School resource officers (SROs) are coming back to Charlottesville City Schools following a school board vote in March. But residents still have an opportunity to discuss what they’d want the SRO’s role to look like.
SROs are certified police officers employed by the local police department but stationed at the school district to provide security. Here’s a fact sheet about what SROs are and what they’re allowed to do from the Legal Aid Justice Center and a draft agreement between Charlottesville City Schools and the Charlottesville Police Department.
Can I Talk To You Cville is hosting an event discussing SROs and City Schools on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
Charles Lewis, host of the In My Humble Opinion radio show, will moderate the event.
Lewis said that the event is to “invite the community in, to have this conversation around, ‘what is a school resource officer? What are the different flavors of them? What are their qualifications?'”
The workshop-style townhall is open to everyone, and will be broken into sections, so that those who attend can speak — one-on-one — with school board members and school administrators.
“There’s a lot of confusion and misinformation around it,” Lewis said. “And we need this platform in order to have clear communication and clear dialogue about what it means for school resource officers to be in Charlottesville City Schools.”
Can I Talk to You Cville is an event series hosted by Charlottesville Inclusive Media, a partnership between In My Humble Opinion talk show, Vinegar Hill Magazine and Charlottesville Tomorrow.
Take action
Learn more about school resource officers return to Charlottesville City Schools
Can I Talk To You Cville is hosting a free community discussion from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26 at Trailblazer Elementary, 406 14th St. NW in Charlottesville.
Refreshments and childcare will be provided.
Complete this registration form to attend in person or register here to participate online.
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