4J school board member speaks out in support of ending school resource officers

Over 150 protesters gathered at the federal courthouse and listened to speakers before marching through the streets.

On the eve of a major decision by the 4-j school boad about the future of school resource officers at high school campuses... protesters marched through downtown eugene demaning the district not renew its contract with eugene police.

Kezi nine news reporter connor mccarthy is live here in the studio and tells us why one board member say now is the time to make eugene schools police free.

Chynna--martina shabram sits on the 4-j school board and told protesters point black that she is voting against the contract re- newal for school resource officers with eugene police.

Now she did say, all her views expressed by to me are her own personal views and not that of the school board.

Nat:"black lives matter" protesters marching through the streets of eugene tuesday evening... demanding police refrom.

This time their..

Calling on 4-j school board members to end a nearly half a million dollar contract with e-p-d.

"up until a year ago i felt safe at school with a resource officer you know a big stong policeman gun on his hip, i now realize that is a direct threat to bipoc students."

Protesters claim police in schools create more fear then security for people of color.

Something board member martina shabram wants to change.

"tomorrow night we have this vote, which means we have a lot of power in this moment that we don't always feel like we have."

Shabram says data from dignity in schools, a non- proft that works to keep students in yhe classroom and out of prision...shows school resource officers do not make campuses safer.

"it's been correlated with lower test scores for students of color lower graduation rates for studens of color, greater sense of belonging and being pushed out."

There are some concerns about school shootings and who will protect campuses.

Shabram says the investments should be made in school resources like counseling to help prevent a future shooting.

"i want to play the long game when it comes to kids.

I want us to be providing the resources they need in kindergarden in pre-k and all the way up."

Shabram says she's not anti-police but she says there needs to be better ways to keep 4j students safe.

"but who get's left out, when people say they give me peace of mind well who doesn't get that piece of mind and i want to make sure everyone has that piece of mind and send their kid to school and not end up as a name on another sign in another march."

The 4-j school board meeting starts tomorrow at 6 p-m.

We will have the board's decision tomorrow night on kezi nine news at 11 and on kezi dot com.

Live in the studio connor