To:

Members, Board of Education

From:

Maurice O. Green, Superintendent
Peggy H. Thompson, Chief Human Resources Officer

Date:

October 24, 2008

RE:

Second Reading – Policy JHB, Gang Prevention & Education

The attached Policy JHB–Gang Prevention and Education was developed in response to the School Climate Task Force recommendations and to House Bill 274 (A Bill to be Entitled An Act To Enact The North Carolina Street Gang Prevention Act), enacted in 2007.  Policy JHB has been presented to the board for first and second reading, and has been posted for public comment on two occasions.  Fourteen public comments were provided on this policy, with at least half indicating concern.  Concerns ranged from lack of clarity of the wording within the policy to the question of why a policy is needed.

Providing a safe and orderly instructional environment is a high priority of the Guilford County Schools.  The administration believes that existing policies, procedures, and practices such as Policy JD (Student Discipline) and Procedure JD-P, along with the Student Code of Conduct create appropriate structures to provide a safe and orderly environment.   Additionally, a Safety Committee has been created to examine school safety, including gang issues. 

RECOMMENDATION:  After review and discussion, the administration recommends that the policy be re-evaluated by the newly created Safety Committee to determine needs and to recommend next steps.

Attachment - Policy JHB, Gang Prevention & Education