VISTA, Calif. — Parents, teachers and students crowded the Vista Unified School Board meeting Thursday night wearing green shirts and ribbons calling for safety at its schools.
“I am astounded, appalled, devastated, angry,” said Vista High School Senior Government teacher Katie Lavoie. “This is unacceptable and appalling and saddening especially in light of what happened today.”
The school board said it needs to cut $13.3 million to balance its budget for the 2020-2021 school year, and that includes cutting three of its school resource officers and one that roams at middle and elementary schools.
According to the school board, those cuts would save $650,000.
“With everything going on and school shootings and contraband that makes it onto school campuses, I think it is important to have resource officers there to protect us and be there for us during those really difficult times,” said Vista High School Senior Alyssa Legapsi.
The discussion comes on the same day of the deadly shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California.
“This year I had a student who threatened another student in my classroom,” said Lavoie. “You have to have those resource officers on campus who can support those situations.”
Students said having an armed San Diego County Sheriff’s deputy SRO is crucial to their protection.
“Us who are defenseless with backpacks and a desk,” said Hope Drake, Vista High School Senior.
The district considered reducing school counselors before voting to keep them. The district also decided to cut its two psychologists, saving thousands of dollars.
Students said these resources are essential to support and prevent violence in schools and so are SRO’s.
“It’s a sense of relief especially with everything going you just know that if something happens there is someone is on campus can rely on to make you feel safe,” said a student.
The school board is still combing through the budget.
On other campuses and within law enforcement agencies federal grants are available for SRO’s.
This year, a proposed bill (AB750) that would require SRO’s in all California schools failed in the state legislature.
News 8 reached out to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office for a comment, it was after hours and have not heard back.