Cathi Long created a teen court program at Countryside High School.

PINELLAS COUNTY – School Resource Officer Cathi Long has been named the Pinellas County Schools  school resource officer of the year.

Long, a Clearwater police officer, was chosen from 12 nominees. Long has worked at Countryside for three years and was chosen because of her commitment to restorative justice for students. She created a teen court at Countryside to help students work through discipline.

Countryside’s teen court program focuses on teen truancy and juvenile arbitration. The teen court class is held during the school day and coaches students in how to be an effective “jury of peers.” Court is held Wednesdays and Thursdays. It sets out an individualized plan of consequences and education for students who commit non-violent misdemeanor crimes and/or who have chronic juvenile truancy.

For information about Countryside High, go to pcsb.org.

Photo of Pinellas School board with Cathi Long, school resource officer of the year, courtesy of Pinellas County Schools.

Pinellas Schools | Countryside High | Teen Court | Cathi Long | Clearwater Police | TB Reporter

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