Even though our school-based probation officers work closely with parents and guardians to enforce regular school attendance, appropriate behavior, and school performance, there has previously been talk of ending this important project.
The primary objective of school-based services is to increase opportunities for young probationers and at-risk youth to achieve academic success, as well as empowering and supporting parents to become the primary change agent for their children.
When talk of removing these officers from schools began, Local 685 went to work in order to prevent this from happening.
“One of the things we wanted to know first was what the school administrators had to say about working with our officers. We were surprised when we immediately received an enormous amount of positive feedback,” said SDPO Ernesto Sandoval.
SDPO Ernesto Sandoval – and Dwight Thompson, Local 685 Fields Vice President – received approximately 42 letters from principals explaining how valuable the work of our officers is to these schools. Due to the overwhelming affirmation by school principals and administrators of the need for these school-based probation officers, Local 685 was able to negotiate with the department to continue probation services in these high schools.
Below are some of the statements from principals and other school administrators who wrote to the Board of Supervisors:
"For the past two years, Probation Officer Diane Morehead has monitored daily attendance of our special education students, communicated with general and special education teachers, counseled students, and conducted home visits with both students and their families."
-Slater Williams, Special Education Teacher at Long Beach Jordan High School.
"This letter is to express our sincere gratitude for the services we have received from DPO Lorenzo Arnold. Officer Arnold stands out in his ability to tailor his communication and style to meet the needs of our students and their families, He consistently follows up with students and families and his collaboration with Fremont staff has been exceptional. We firmly believe that evidence shows that prompt intervention with students at a younger age helps prevent more serious problems as they grow up."
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Elizabeth A. Harper, Principal of Fremont Academy of Engineering and Design, Pomona.
"Probation Officer Castillo has presented a series of Parent Empowerment Workshops that have been very successful with our parent group. The parents feel comfortable implementing the skillsets taught during the workshops and they feel they can go to him for any type of support needed when it comes to student discipline or parent support."
-Anabel Bonney, Title 1 Coordinator at Sun Valley Magnet School.
"Probation Officer Martha Aguirre has been a tremendous addition to our school staff. She provides resources to our students and parents that the rest of our staff can't. She monitors and looks out for many of our most at-risk students. The connection that she is able to make with students is one that no one else on our campus can make. Our community is seeking additional ways to support our most needy students, losing school-based Probation Officers and the support they provide would be detrimental to our students, parents and our school as a whole."
-Neal Nakano, School Counselor at West Covina High School.
"Fedde Middle School has benefited from the services and support of Probation Officer Clementina Salazar. She is a valued member of our school community due to the quality of services she provides our students. If we are serious about changing the life outcomes of our most underserved students, middle schools must have the support of probation officers and their preventive services."
-Ricardo Lois, Principal at Fedde Middle School--ABC Unified School District
