The following is a press release:

Teachers and members of the Kent Education Association are concerned the school district is not providing a safe and supportive learning environment for students.

Teachers will gather at the school board meeting on Wednesday, May 11, to demand effective district policies that will keep classrooms safe. The meeting will be held at the Kent School District office at 7 p.m.

“Our doors are open to every student, no matter what kind of sustained or short-term trauma the student has experienced. We must meet their needs without compromising the high quality education all of our students have a right to receive,” said Cindy Prescott, a Kent classroom teacher and Co-Chair of the S.A.F.E. Committee.

Teachers say the current system is not working. Current discipline policies set no boundaries for students nor creates a safe environment for learning.

“We have elementary teachers and students that have to evacuate their classroom because of a violent student. We are required by law to provide a SAFE environment for all students AND provide support for our students who have social and emotional challenges that result in disruptive or violent behaviors,” said Kent Education Association President Christie Padilla.

KEA members want an effective wrap-around system that includes counselors, board certified behavior interventionists, social workers and school psychologists that focus on the social and emotional needs of the students. They also want a discipline policy that promotes positive behaviors and requires consequences for negative and unsafe behaviors that disrupt learning.

“At the end of the day, we want our students and the staff who work with them, to feel safe, supported and valued,” said Camille Yuasa, Academic Interventionist and Co-Chair of the S.A.F.E. Committee.