Author: Bernie James

Safety Law News for May 19, 2017

In Kentucky, a report from the Kentucky Center for School Safety has named marijuana use and possession as the top law violation among students in Kentucky for the 2015-16 school year.  The data show law violations gradually go up until…

Safety Law News for May 17, 2017

In Georgia, the Georgia Supreme Court upheld the state terroristic threats statute that had been challenged by a Hall County high school student who was criminally charged with posting terroristic threats on Facebook to “get the chopper out and make…

Safety Law News for May 11, 2017

In Indiana, the United States District Court has upheld the authority of educators to act in-loco-parentis in the school environment.  The parents challenged a provision of the education code that states: “In all matters relating to the discipline and conduct…

Safety Law News for May 3, 2017

In Kentucky, the Kentucky Center for School Safety released a report that compiles committed crimes in schools in the state.  Less than one percent of students at public schools in Kentucky committed crimes.  The number one violation for students was…

Safety Law News for April 25, 2017

In Minnesota, officials in the Savage Public Schools are revising their school safety plan.  The new plan eliminates all officers with a new administrative position called the dean of students.  The superintendent believes “ultimately, the focus of a School Resource…

Safety Law News for April 18, 2017

In Massachusetts, the Springfield Public Schools have combined restorative justice principles with the “triad” concept of school-based policing to reduce arrests and suspensions.   Arrests have declined 70 percent over a five-year period.  Suspensions — in school and out of school…

Safety Law News for April 13, 2017

In North Carolina, House Bill 612 would authorize local schools boards to offer a comprehensive firearm education course as a high school elective. The course would be developed by the State Board of Education and would incorporate gun safety education…

Safety Law News for April 10, 2017

In Tennessee, the director of Murfreesboro City Schools has asked the Murfreesboro City Council to expand the school resource officer program. Dr. Linda Gilbert says, “we would love to have one in every school…we have found them absolutely invaluable to…

Safety Law News for April 5, 2017

In North Carolina, the Durham school board is considering changing rules for sharing information with law enforcement officers to avoid deportations of students who may be in the country illegally. In Maryland, the sexual assault in Rockville of a 14-year-old…

Safety Law News for March 30, 2017

In North Dakota, the Senate rejected a proposal that would allow trained staff members to carry concealed firearms in schools. In Missouri, educators and police are discussing a more proactive approach to combat the escalating number of threats against campuses…