AQE/Metro Justice Education Committee Meeting

Tuesday, November 25, 2014 5:00 pm

Metro Justice

803 West Avenue Suite 370

Rochester, NY, 14611

Minutes

Attending: Diane Watkins, Eamonn Scanlon, Candace Rubin, Rosemary Rivera, Bruce Pollack, Miesha McCray, Etheleen Lawrence, Reine Lawrence, Mia Hodgins, Eric Howard, Sarah Gillespie, Lisa Englert, Sue DeFabbia, Brianna Casserly, Ana Casserly, Jim Bearden

1. Welcome and Introductions

2. Debriefing on the release of the report and press conference.

   1. The space at School #17 was too small.

   2. We were competing with parents trying to pick up their children.

   3. The RCSD got too much credit for the event. We needed an AQE/MJ Banner across the front and people wearing MJ T-shirts.

3. Planning activities for December and January.

   1. Van White's resolution to amend the RCSD code of conduct was described and we agreed to read it carefully and discuss it at the next meeting.

   2. We brainstormed a long list of ideas for our strategy.

   3. Eric, Eamonn & Rosemary will meet to distill the list and bring a draft proposal to the next meeting.

4. Organizing the committee for future action.

   1. We discussed and brainstormed ideas for organizing our committee.

   2. Without an organizer the committee's capacity is limited by volunteer time.

   3. We need the following general kinds of volunteers.

      1. Prepare agendas, advertise meetings, and distribute minutes of meetings (Eamonn and Jim as co-chairs will coordinate this Brianna volunteered to act as secretary and prepare minutes.)

      2. Research

         1. Local and national research on the issue of suspensions and breaking the school-to-jail pipeline.

         2. Writing flyers, leaflets and documents used by the committee.

      3. Outreach

         1. Contacting parent, church, and other organizations.

         2. Phone banking and contacting our membership.

         3. Gathering information from parents, students and community members about goals etc.

         4. Maintain alliances with other groups who support our campaign.

5. Proposal on Subcommittee for Special Education

   1. Ana led discussion of Suspensions, IEP etc.

   2. Thanks to 19^th Ward Association for table at their convention