Public Comments to Be Presented at Edmonds School District Board Meeting on July 7, 2026
LYNNWOOD— Wally Webster, founder of The ACCESS Project, and Marie MacCoy, LICSW, of MacCoy Consulting, LLC and the Jaguar Community Association, will join students, families, and community members on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 6:30pm to urge the Edmonds School District Board of Directors to reinstate a reimagined School Resource Officer (SRO) Program as an immediate part of a broader school safety strategy.
(Left to right): Marie MacCoy and Wally Webster II speaking at the Lynnwood Chamber of Commerce luncheon and annual meeting Wednesday, May 20. Photo: Kienan Briscoe, Lynnwood Times
The request will be presented during the Public Comments portion of the Edmonds School District Board of Directors Business Meeting.
Meeting Details Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 Time: 6:30pm Location: Educational Service Center – Board Room Address: 20420 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood, WA
The Edmonds School District discontinued the SRO Program in 2020. Since that time, district schools and surrounding communities have experienced growing safety concerns, including increased emergency calls, arrests, charges, and serious incidents involving youth gun violence.
The ACCESS Project reviewed data from the Lynnwood Police Department involving three Edmonds School District schools located in Lynnwood: Meadowdale High School, Meadowdale Middle School, and College Place Middle School. The data indicates that removing SROs did not eliminate the safety challenges facing schools. Instead, those challenges remained and, in key areas, increased.
According to Mayor George Hurst, Mayor of Lynnwood, since 2022, there have been 14 shooting incidents in Lynnwood with 18 teenage victims, resulting in 5 fatalities. In one tragic incident, an older community member sitting in his vehicle and enjoying his traditional morning coffee was caught in the middle of gunfire involving teenagers and was killed.
Community members and students are calling for action that reflects current conditions and real public safety concerns. Supporters also recognize that previous SRO models had shortcomings and should not simply be restored without meaningful change.
A reimagined SRO Program would include clear safeguards, accountability, student voice, and defined protocols. The goal is not to criminalize students, but to strengthen safety, prevention, trust, early intervention, and communication among schools, families, law enforcement, and community partners.
Supporters believe the program should be part of a broader school safety strategy that also includes mental health support, restorative practices, prevention services, peer mediation, family engagement, and strong school-community partnerships.
“This request is not about returning to the past,” said Wally Webster, founder of The ACCESS Project. “It is about moving forward with a thoughtful, accountable, student-centered approach to school and community safety. Our students deserve safe places to learn, our educators deserve support, and our families deserve peace of mind.”
About The ACCESS Project Launched in late 2022, The ACCESS Project was founded by Wally Webster in response to growing concerns about youth violence and emotional and behavioral challenges affecting young people in the community. The ACCESS Project is a collaborative movement that brings together government officials, educators, faith leaders, community organizations, law enforcement, and wellness professionals to support and uplift youth in South Snohomish County.
About MacCoy Consulting, LLC Marie MacCoy is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, child mental health specialist, and substance use disorder professional. MacCoy Consulting, LLC provides professional consultation using a whole-person and trauma-informed approach to guide both administrative and clinical behavioral health programs.
Community Leaders, Students, and Families to Urge Edmonds School Board to Reinstate a Reimagined School Resource Officer Program
Public Comments to Be Presented at Edmonds School District Board Meeting on July 7, 2026
LYNNWOOD — Wally Webster, founder of The ACCESS Project, and Marie MacCoy, LICSW, of MacCoy Consulting, LLC and the Jaguar Community Association, will join students, families, and community members on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 6:30pm to urge the Edmonds School District Board of Directors to reinstate a reimagined School Resource Officer (SRO) Program as an immediate part of a broader school safety strategy.
The request will be presented during the Public Comments portion of the Edmonds School District Board of Directors Business Meeting.
Meeting Details
Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Educational Service Center – Board Room
Address: 20420 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood, WA
The Edmonds School District discontinued the SRO Program in 2020. Since that time, district schools and surrounding communities have experienced growing safety concerns, including increased emergency calls, arrests, charges, and serious incidents involving youth gun violence.
The ACCESS Project reviewed data from the Lynnwood Police Department involving three Edmonds School District schools located in Lynnwood: Meadowdale High School, Meadowdale Middle School, and College Place Middle School. The data indicates that removing SROs did not eliminate the safety challenges facing schools. Instead, those challenges remained and, in key areas, increased.
According to Mayor George Hurst, Mayor of Lynnwood, since 2022, there have been 14 shooting incidents in Lynnwood with 18 teenage victims, resulting in 5 fatalities. In one tragic incident, an older community member sitting in his vehicle and enjoying his traditional morning coffee was caught in the middle of gunfire involving teenagers and was killed.
Community members and students are calling for action that reflects current conditions and real public safety concerns. Supporters also recognize that previous SRO models had shortcomings and should not simply be restored without meaningful change.
A reimagined SRO Program would include clear safeguards, accountability, student voice, and defined protocols. The goal is not to criminalize students, but to strengthen safety, prevention, trust, early intervention, and communication among schools, families, law enforcement, and community partners.
Supporters believe the program should be part of a broader school safety strategy that also includes mental health support, restorative practices, prevention services, peer mediation, family engagement, and strong school-community partnerships.
“This request is not about returning to the past,” said Wally Webster, founder of The ACCESS Project. “It is about moving forward with a thoughtful, accountable, student-centered approach to school and community safety. Our students deserve safe places to learn, our educators deserve support, and our families deserve peace of mind.”
About The ACCESS Project
Launched in late 2022, The ACCESS Project was founded by Wally Webster in response to growing concerns about youth violence and emotional and behavioral challenges affecting young people in the community. The ACCESS Project is a collaborative movement that brings together government officials, educators, faith leaders, community organizations, law enforcement, and wellness professionals to support and uplift youth in South Snohomish County.
Website: https://www.theaccessprojectwa.org/
Contact: Wally Webster
Email: wally@theaccessprojectwa.org
Phone: (206) 790-2874, voice or text
About MacCoy Consulting, LLC
Marie MacCoy is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, child mental health specialist, and substance use disorder professional. MacCoy Consulting, LLC provides professional consultation using a whole-person and trauma-informed approach to guide both administrative and clinical behavioral health programs.
Website: www.maccoyconsulting.com
Contact: Marie MacCoy
Email: marie@maccoyconsulting.com
Phone: (425) 260-2909
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
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