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| Bronx Coalition for School Safety | |
|---|---|
| Name | Bronx Coalition for School Safety |
| Formation | 2010s |
| Type | Coalition |
| Location | Bronx, New York City |
| Region served | Bronx Community Districts |
| Leader title | Executive Director |
| Affiliations | Community boards, School Leadership Teams, Civil rights organizations |
Bronx Coalition for School Safety The Bronx Coalition for School Safety is a grassroots alliance based in the Bronx borough of New York City that brings together parents, activists, educators, civil rights groups, and civic organizations to address student safety, school climate, and policing in schools. The coalition emerged amid debates involving the New York City Department of Education, the New York Police Department, and advocacy groups over discipline, restorative practices, and student rights. Its activity has intersected with notable institutions such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the United Federation of Teachers, and community boards across the Bronx.
The coalition formed in response to high-profile incidents and policy changes involving the New York City Department of Education, the New York Police Department, and national conversations sparked by events like the Ferguson unrest and the Black Lives Matter movement. Early organizing drew on precedents set by groups such as Make the Road New York, NYCLU, and the National Education Association chapters that had campaigned around stop-and-frisk policies and student rights. Meetings frequently involved representatives from Bronx institutions including Bronx Community College, Fordham University, and local Community Board 3 (Bronx), and were informed by legal decisions such as cases before the United States Supreme Court related to student search and seizure. Over time the coalition coordinated with coalitions organized around campaigns by figures like Carmen Fariña and administrations including those of Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams in addressing school safety frameworks.
Membership spans parent-teacher associations, labor unions, faith organizations, and nonprofit actors. Notable affiliated entities include the United Federation of Teachers, Community Service Society of New York, and religious congregations associated with the Archdiocese of New York and the Bronx Clergy United. Leadership roles have been held by local activists, educators from schools such as Bronx High School of Science and David A. Stein M.S. 191, and lawyers from firms aligned with the American Civil Liberties Union and the Legal Aid Society. The coalition convenes monthly assemblies that attract stakeholders from the Bronx Borough President’s office, local elected officials including members of the New York City Council, and representatives from the Office of the Mayor of New York City for policy briefings and joint statements.
Programming reflects multi-pronged strategies: advocacy for restorative justice practices, campaigns to limit School Safety Agents' scope, and training for teachers and parents. Initiatives often collaborate with university research centers at Columbia University and CUNY Graduate Center to evaluate climate surveys, and coordinate workshops featuring participants from Teachers College, Columbia University, the Brooklyn Defender Services, and child welfare organizations such as Children's Defense Fund. The coalition has promoted pilot programs modeled on restorative frameworks advocated by organizations like Restorative Justice Project and partnered with municipal offices such as the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for trauma-informed care. Public actions have included petitions delivered to the New York City Council, testimony at hearings chaired by council members, and outreach campaigns in partnership with community media outlets including BronxNet.
The coalition has been a focal point in contentious debates pitting safety concerns articulated by some principals and parent groups against civil liberties advocates. Critics from organizations such as school administrators' associations and some labor leaders argued that calls to reduce police presence could compromise school safety in the wake of incidents cited by commentators on platforms like New York Daily News and The New York Post. Other critics referenced positions taken by municipal officials during administrations of Michael Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio regarding discipline policy. Legal challenges and media scrutiny have involved entities including the NYPD Patrol Guide critics and commentators from outlets such as The Wall Street Journal. Supporters countered with endorsements from civil rights groups and academic studies produced by centers at Princeton University and Harvard University examining the effects of policing in schools.
The coalition influenced policy shifts at the municipal level, contributing to revisions in discipline policy and expanded adoption of restorative practices in several Bronx schools, as reported by municipal hearings of the New York City Council and briefings with the New York City Department of Education. Collaboration with research partners produced school climate data used by district leadership, and advocacy contributed to training modules for School Safety Agents and staff in some districts. The coalition’s campaigns intersected with broader movements that affected citywide discourse on policing reform, juvenile justice, and student rights involving stakeholders from the New York State Legislature, Mayor's Office, and nonprofit sector. Outcomes included measurable changes in suspension and arrest referral rates in targeted campuses and increased parental engagement through coalitions modeled after community organizing efforts by Make the Road New York and national groups like the National Council of La Raza.
Category:Organizations based in the Bronx Category:Education advocacy groups in the United States