Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, in a recent announcement, stated that the Stockton Unified School District (District) and its Department of Public Safety have successfully completed the five-year term of the stipulated judgment aimed at addressing civil and constitutional rights violations of students. Attorney General Bonta expressed satisfaction with the progress made, highlighting the importance of protecting students' rights in schools.

Superintendent of Stockton Unified School District, Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, commended the efforts of all involved parties, emphasizing the commitment to implementing necessary changes and policies to support students in achieving academic success and personal growth.

Chief Mayra Franco of the Department of Public Safety expressed pride in the department's transformation as a result of the DOJ Agreement, emphasizing the continuous commitment to providing a safe learning environment for staff and students.

Jasmine Dellafosse, Director of Organizing and Community Engagement at End Poverty in CA, stressed the significance of accountability and transparency in ensuring the well-being of students, urging ongoing efforts to address issues that impact the school community.

Reflecting on the past challenges faced by the District, Linnea Nelson, Senior Staff Attorney at the ACLU of Northern California, acknowledged the progress made under the consent decree while emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring to prevent discrimination and disparities among students.

Pastor Trena Turner from Victory In Praise Church highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration and inclusivity beyond the monitoring period to further enhance the district and improve the overall student experience.

The DOJ investigation in 2019 revealed discriminatory practices within the District, leading to a stipulated judgment that mandated significant reforms and a monitoring period. The District made various policy changes, including limiting law enforcement referrals, establishing diversion programs for minor offenses, and enhancing training on civil rights and bias elimination.

Noteworthy improvements were observed as a result of the judgment, with a significant decrease in student arrests and calls for service to the Department. Moving forward, the Community Advisory Group and Transformative Justice subcommittee will continue their efforts to reduce disparities in law enforcement referrals and analyze data to ensure equitable treatment of all students.

For more information, the stipulated judgment and complaint documents are available for reference.