School Safety Law Blog – Page 67 – News and Information for School Safety

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Safety Law News for May 4, 2018

by Bernie James • May 4, 2018

In Vermont, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that the actions of a high school student, who was charged with plotting to shoot up the high school, did not meet the legal definition of an “attempt” under Vermont law. The student was charged with attempted bodily injury, attempted first-degree murder, and attempted aggravated murder. The court reasoned that preparation alone does not satisfy the high bar required to prove an attempt. The student purchased a shotgun, sent Facebook messages that he planned to commit a shooting, and kept lists of the items that he needed. [State v. Sawyer]

In New Mexico, the superintendent for the Santa Fe Public Schools has been told by the Santa Fe Police Department that it is spread thin and does not have the manpower to assign three police officers to the school district.

In Wisconsin, state officials says schools have until June 8 to apply for $100 million in school safety grants. The grants were approved by legislators after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. To be eligible for funding, schools must develop a plan with local law enforcement and earmark the funds for facility upgrades or staff training.

In Florida, the Suwannee County School Board unanimously passed a resolution that allows volunteer school staff members to carry guns on campus. The program will be implemented for the 2018-2019 academic year.

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Safety Law News for May 1, 2018

by Bernie James • May 1, 2018

In Florida, officials in Polk County plan to hire 90 armed “School Safety Guardians” to work in the Polk County Schools. The safety guardian is not a law enforcement job and pays $30,000 a year plus benefits. Officials selected this option because they could not afford to hire more sworn School Resource Officers. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office will handle the tactical training for the guardians.

In Illinois, the Illinois House passed legislation that would create a grant program for schools that employ social workers and psychologists. HB 4208 would establish the Safe Schools Healthy Learning Environment grant to “promote school safety and healthy learning environments by reducing the reliance on law enforcement to address school disciplinary matters and implementing alternative strategies.” The bill now goes to the Illinois Senate.

In Tennessee, the Tennessee House and Senate have passed House Bill 2129 and Senate Bill 2059. The legislation would allow schools in the state to hire off-duty police officers to work school security. Amendment 2 to the legislation would enact the “School Safety Act of 2018”, which will authorize, but not require, LEAs to adopt policies that allow off-duty law enforcement officers to serve as armed school security officers. The bill now goes to Governor Bill Haslam to be signed into law.

In Florida, Venice High School in Sarasota County is planning to create an on-campus police substation. The substation will be open 24-7 for area officers to have access to a computer, conduct on-line training, write reports, interact with school staff, school resource officers, and students.

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Safety Law News for April 19, 2018

by Bernie James • April 19, 2018

In Ohio, school officials will have to notify parents of children who are absent-without-excuse within two hours of the start of each school day under Senate Bill 82. The legislation is known as the Alianna Alert, was named in memory of 14-year-old Alianna Defreeze, who was abducted on the way to school in January 2017. Her parents were unaware that she had not made it to school until the end of the school day.

In Virginia, the Caroline County Board of Supervisors and the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors have agreed to provide funding to hire school resource officers at all public schools in each county.

In Florida, the Sarasota County School Board agreed to form an internal police force to protect its campuses. Switching to an internal police force will cost the school district $400,000 to $1.5 million dollars less than the current agreement with local law enforcement agencies.

In Michigan, the Governor announced a set of new policies designed to improve school safety. The proposal includes strengthening security systems, additional training, and improved resources to help staff identify and support students with emotional and behavioral needs.

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Safety Law News for April 13, 2018

by Bernie James • April 13, 2018

Across the United States, less than two months since the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, at least 10 U.S. states have proposed spending significantly more to bolster school safety.

In Louisiana, the Livingston Parish Sheriff is proposing to the Livingston Parish School Board a half-cent sales tax increase to fund a school resource officer for each parish school. It would take nearly 50 school resource officers at a cost of $111,000 per officer to train, outfit and equip.

In Florida, the Broward County School Board, which oversees the high school where a gunman massacred 17 people in February, has rejected its share of new state funding to be used for arming teachers.

In Maryland, the Governor signed into law SB 1226. The new law mandates that schools have either resource officers or adequate law enforcement coverage. It also requires local school systems to conduct comprehensive safety evaluations of their facilities, including developing an emergency plan. Schools must ensure safety personnel are properly equipped and trained. School systems must designate a state-certified security administrator to oversee the plan. The law requires schools to create a multi-discipline threat-assessment team and designate a mental health services coordinator.

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Safety Law News for April 10, 2018

by Bernie James • April 10, 2018

In South Carolina, the Oconee County Sheriff presented a campus safety proposal to the School District of Oconee County Board that would arm as many as 50 school employees. Under the policy, the focus will be on arming principals, assistant principals, guidance counselors, athletic directors, and other non-faculty personnel.

In Idaho, the Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction is launching a school safety initiative dubbed KISS: Keep Idaho Students Safe. The $20.8 million plan would fund more school resource officers and pay for the state to develop a teacher safety course and statewide crisis counseling program. An on-line survey is being used to receive comments from Idahoans.

In New Mexico, the Las Cruces Public School Board is being asked to modify the policy that allows district employees to apply to carry concealed weapons on school grounds. The changes would add rigor to the process of vetting requests by school personnel.

In Virginia, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors is considering a plan to use retired police officers for security at its grade schools. The officials expect that using retired officers would cost about half as much as full-fledged school resource officers.

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Safety Law News for April 6, 2018

by Bernie James • April 6, 2018

In Florida, the Alachua City Commission has approved funds to upgrade the firearms used by its school resource officers. The Sig Sauer MCX rifle had been selected as most suitable for the school environment. The new rifles will be in the officers’ possession at all times.

In Maryland, the Senate passed SB 1226, a measure to improve school safety. The proposal was sent to the House of Representatives for its consideration. Under the legislation, all public schools would be required to have a school resource officer or demonstrate plans for coverage from law enforcement by the start of the next school year. If enacted, the law would take effect on July 1, 2018.

In Iowa, the Iowa Supreme Court upheld the conviction of a high school teacher for sexual exploitation under Iowa Code Ann. § 709.15(3)(a)(2). The court reasoned that substantial evidence established that the teacher (1) sent messages that encouraged the student to enter into an intimate relationship and (2) hugged the student for his own sexual gratification within the meaning of the criminal statute. [State v. Wickes]

In Alabama, officials of the schools in Guntersville are enacting a new policy to put a full-time officer at every school and to upgrade campus video cameras.