The leader of an Athens nonprofit wants to see fewer Clarke students with discipline problems in schools winding up with criminal records.
Mokah-Jasmine Johnson is president of the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement.
Johnson has been heading the end school to prison pipeline effort in Clarke County for the past two years. The matter hit home when Johnson’s daughter was suspended and charged after a school fight.
“From my personal experience, and even collaborating with other parents, when these kids get into trouble they’re not being other alternatives and the proper support that they need,” according to Johnson. “But one thing that they will do, if you get into a fight or certain things, you could end up with a disorderly conduct charges and possibly incarcerated.”
She’s seeking signatures on an online petition to present to school board requesting policy changes.
Those interested in signing the petition can visit www.aadmovement.org. Johnson says in many cases, there may be other steps which can be taken before having students arrested.
“Why can’t they increase restorative justice coordinators, why don’t we have social workers, why don’t why have more of a special response, why don’t we have more of a preventive approach?” Johnson asks. “You kids can even get locked up, or get charged with curfew violations is they’re caught cutting school.”
