The First District Democrats are hosting an issues forum on the school-to-prison pipeline from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at the International Union of Operating Engineers Hall, 18701 120th Ave. N.E. in Bothell.

According to an FDD release, the school-to-prison pipeline is a metaphor used to describe the increasing trend of students coming into contact with the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems. Overly harsh disciplinary policies such as zero tolerance policies and criminalization of minor infractions (which, in earlier times, would have been handled inside the school), effectively push students down the pipeline and into the criminal justice system, the release states.

Saturday’s event will be a two-part forum, beginning with thoughts by local experts, concluding with breakout sessions, in which attendees will brainstorm with a small group of fellow citizens to collaborate on ways to create a safe and supportive environment that works for the community.

Saturdays speakers include Dr. Karen A. Johnson, chair of the Black Alliance of Thurston County; Manka Dhingra, candidate for the 45th Legislative District Senate position and King County deputy prosecutor; Rev. Terri Stewart, director and founder of Youth Chaplaincy Coalition; Dr. Chris Bigelow, director of Diversity and Equity of the Northshore School District and Gina Cumbo, project director of the Center for Children and Youth Justice.

Registration fee is $15 per person before the day of the event or $17 at the door. Continental breakfast, lunch (provided by MOD Pizza) and coffee/tea are included in the price.

All proceeds will be donated to the Center for Children and Youth Justice, serving Snohomish and King counties.