(Fort Lauderdale, Fla) - The Broward school district voted 5-2 to dissolve its arrest diversion program for troubled students Tuesday night.
The PROMISE Program drew fire for its connection with the Parkland mass shooter who was part of the program, but never completed it.
Andy Pollack, who lost his daughter Meadow in the 2018 Parkland school shooting says the PROMISE program made students less safe and he says law enforcement should be involved in any replacement program.
Broward's Promise program went into effect in 2016 and allowed students to attend an alternative school to avoid being charged with a misdemeanor for a non-violent offense.
School officials say services provided by the PROMISE program will be available for students until they come up with a replacement.
According to the Broward School District website:
"The PROMISE (Preventing Recidivism through Opportunities, Mentoring, Interventions, Supports & Education) program represents the most comprehensive thinking available to address socially unacceptable and/or school related infractions that could result in a juvenile arrest. The program is designed to provide academic interventions, a counseling component which focuses on the specific unwanted behavior, as well as social/emotional learning. Community resources are available to the students and families, which can address and serve their unique needs. Additionally, the principles of Restorative Justice are implemented, the development of pro-social skills are instilled and incorporated into the curriculum for the ultimate goal of improving positive decision making and resiliency. The PROMISE program is housed within the Pine Ridge Education Center."
Pollack posted this video in 2018 in opposition to the PROMISE Program.