RETHINK. REVOTE. School Resource Officers in Charlottesville City Schools

We, the undersigned, call on the Charlottesville City School Board to RETHINK its March 27, 2025, decision to reinstate School Resource Officers (SROs) in our schools and REVOTE on this issue. 

The process that led to this decision fell far short of the transparency, community input, and protections our students and educators deserve. 

• Last year, the School Board voted 4–2 to return armed police to school campuses before hearing full community input and without a fully informed process. 
• We are concerned about impacts on our most marginalized students. Police presence in schools can increase arrests for minor disciplinary issues and disproportionately impact students of color and students with disabilities. It can also create fear among students who are not citizens.  

The Community deserves a fair and open process. We call on the School Board to

• Develop evidence-based, restorative alternative models to address the community’s school safety concerns
• Hold at least two widely advertised public meetings to share these models, with genuine opportunities for public comment 
• Fully document and consider revisions based on community input
• REVOTE before the start of the 2026–2027 school year 

Charlottesville’s schools belong to the community. After a fair and open process, the Board may decide to keep SROs—or not. But the community deserves a transparent decision-making process first.  Sign this petition to demand a transparent process, a real public voice, and a responsible REVOTE before police return to our schools.