Zero Tolerance Special Committee Meeting –
Wednesday, January 5, 2005
Meeting Minutes
Meeting
attendees: Bruce Wright-Chair, John
Feeney, Cathy Corry, Matt Sullivan, Bonnie McClelland, Libby Lubin, Dave Parham, Tim Niermann,
Tony Hinson, Debby Bolen
The meeting
was called to order by John Feeney at 4:15 pm at the Pinellas Park Library at
The minutes
of the December 1, 2004 meeting had been previously disseminated via email to committee
members for review. Printed copies of
the minutes were not available for review and approval.
John Feeney
requested topics for discussion. Cathy
Corry announced that the Zero Tolerance Special Committee is scheduled to give
a presentation at the January 24th Circuit 6
Juvenile Justice Board meeting. The
following ideas were suggested for inclusion in the presentation: video excerpt
of DJJ Secretary Schembri’s speech at the recent
meeting in
Libby Lubin offered the following information as a follow up to
the last meeting:
Daily cost of
confinement for detained youth in a non-residential facility:
·
$292
for medical services at PEMHS for Baker Act, per data provided by Tom Wedikin
·
$120
for detainment at Pinellas JDC, per data provided by David Hipp
via Jim Needs
There was
discussion about incorporating this cost information into the recommendations
for the purpose of emphasizing the taxpayer burden when arresting and detaining
youth.
Libby
provided school arrest referral statistics for November 2004, which reflected
Tim Niermann pointed out the need to know the various decision
makers in the entire process. He said
that the St. Petersburg Times prepared a flow chart about 10 years ago that
explained this process. Tim will try to
find this flow chart and share with the committee.
There was
discussion about lack of school representation at the committee meetings and
the suggestion to directly call Dr. Clayton Wilcox, Superintendent of Pinellas County
Schools, to invite him to our committee meetings. John Feeney offered to call
Dr. Wilcox.
Matt
Sullivan showed a brief video excerpt of Secretary Schembri’s
comments that were captured during the Circuit Board Chairs’ meeting in
Dave Parham
questioned whether legislation is a knee-jerk reaction and whether legislators
ask for input from agencies like DJJ.
Tim Niermann explained that DJJ and the
Governor often influence legislation, as does the Sheriff’s Association.
If the
Council approves the committee’s recommendations, Tim suggests that the
information be presented as a formal report. John Feeney offered to prepare a ‘position
paper’ that could be submitted to DJJ and could also be included in the Annual
report of the Council.
Bruce
Wright arrived at 5:10 and assumed the role of Chair. John gave Bruce an update of the meeting thus
far. Bruce expressed his disappointment
and frustration regarding lack of representation from the schools at the
committee meetings. He described the schools as ‘one of the most important players’ in this
issue, and that it is counterproductive that the school personnel only offer
criticism at Council meetings.
Discussion
ensured regarding law enforcement being used as a discipline tool, and attendees
offered what they believe to be the general views of the legal profession, law
enforcement, and the educational community, and the need to have these groups
bring their views to the table. Cathy
Corry will research the internet for resources that highlight educators who are
supportive of minimizing arrests in schools.
Tim Niermann emphasized the need to discuss
the application of Zero Tolerance.
The meeting
adjourned at 5:40 pm.
The next
scheduled committee meeting is Wednesday, February 2, 2005, 4:00pm-6:00pm at
the Pinellas Park Library.
Minutes
prepared by Cathy Corry