By Amanda Harrison
A policy change in Traverse City public schools is inspiring discussion for change across the state.
The American Civil Liberties Union met with the Traverse City superintendent to encourage the school to revise its zero tolerance offenses.
Rodd Monts is the field director for ACLU. He said zero tolerance policy is a list of offenses that require notification of a school resource officer or law enforcement.
"On that list was the offense of petty theft of five dollars or more, which seemed troubling to us."
Monts said his organization is working to keep kids out of the judicial system by encouraging schools to reevaluate their zero tolerance policies.
He said the group will visit cities on the southeast side of the state, focusing on cities that house ACLU branch offices. He said he hopes other schools will follow Traverse City's change in policy.
A policy change in Traverse City public schools is inspiring discussion for change across the state.
The American Civil Liberties Union met with the Traverse City superintendent to encourage the school to revise its zero tolerance offenses.
Rodd Monts is the field director for ACLU. He said zero tolerance policy is a list of offenses that require notification of a school resource officer or law enforcement.
"On that list was the offense of petty theft of five dollars or more, which seemed troubling to us."
Monts said his organization is working to keep kids out of the judicial system by encouraging schools to reevaluate their zero tolerance policies.
He said the group will visit cities on the southeast side of the state, focusing on cities that house ACLU branch offices. He said he hopes other schools will follow Traverse City's change in policy.
