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Kids Deserve Safe Schools

Instead of violence, we want restoration.

Every day, our kids go to school facing undue stress and agitation. From fear of bullies, to stress of gun violence, to anxiety over a constant police presence, the circumstances for learning, growing, and thriving are often hindered. We want to cultivate environments where students have confidence to progress in their education in a healthy and safe manner.

The Kids Deserve Safe Schools Coalition, working to support Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS), urges the Board of Education to:

  • Implement and utilize restorative practices across all in-district schools;
  • Prioritize mental health resources - including hiring more social workers and counselors - to reduce interactions between police and students;
  • Increase transparency around policing in schools for parents and community members.

Recent polling shows that a majority of community members (59%) see social-emotional learning as a top priority for public school students, and a majority of CPS parents (53%) and former students (65%) are not comfortable with the current contract between Cincinnati Public Schools and the Cincinnati Police Department. Together, we can create an environment that allows Cincinnati children to thrive.

I urge the Cincinnati School Board to:

  • Implement and utilize restorative practices across all in-district schools;
  • Prioritize mental health resources - including hiring more social workers and counselors - to reduce interactions between police and students;
  • Increase transparency around policing in schools for parents and community members.