Please sign our petition to abolish Appleton Area School Districts new ticketing procedure.

The Appleton Area School District (AASD) has recently implemented a ticketing policy for students deemed to be excessively loitering or trespassing, including instances of habitual class absence. This "hold open ticket process" empowers AASD administrative personnel to issue fines up to $200 to students, marking it as a punitive measure intended for use as a last resort.

The introduction of this policy has prompted significant concern among parents, guardians, and community stakeholders, who argue that the initiative lacks clarity, transparency, and equitable enforcement. Despite numerous attempts to engage with AASD officials for clarification and dialogue, these community voices feel their concerns have not been adequately addressed or considered.

Critiques of the current policy highlight several key issues:
- The absence of a clear, consistent definition of "excessive" behavior, opening the door to potential bias and inconsistent application.
- A notable lack of supporting evidence, including peer-reviewed research and demographic analysis, which raises questions about the policy's efficacy and fairness. National data suggests that increased school policing disproportionately harms students from marginalized communities, exacerbating existing inequalities.

In response to these concerns, we petition the Appleton Area School District to eliminate the existing ticketing policy in favor of a restorative approach that adheres to the following principles:
- Clarity and comprehensibility for all members of the school community.
- Full transparency in policy formulation and implementation.
- Solid evidence and data demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed restorative measures.
- A framework that can be implemented by school staff without resorting to law enforcement involvement.
- No financial burdens placed on students' families.
- A design that inherently mitigates the risk of bias in its application.

We believe that adopting a restorative strategy will foster a more inclusive, equitable, and supportive school environment for all students, thereby enhancing educational outcomes and community well-being.