Safety Law News for September 6, 2017

  • In California, officials at the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District are implanting a new disciplinary program with Monterey County juvenile justice agencies.  “Advocating Responsible Choices” is basically a diversion program that relies upon school resource officers who make the initial contact and administer the program.”
  • In Kentucky, the Boyle County Sheriffs’ Office is adding a four-year-old German shepherd to the Boyle County School Resource Officer Program.  Together with the SRO, the dog walks the halls of each of the Boyle County Schools and check the parking lots.
  • In Georgia, officials at the McDuffie County School Board of Education are implementing new safety procedures at football games at the high school.  Metal detectors will be utilized for entry and all bags will be searched at entry points.  Additional School Resource Officers will also be on hand for all varsity home games to speed up utilizing metal detectors.

Safety Law News for August 31, 2017

  • In Texas, Senate Bill 179 will go into effect on September 1, 2017.  The law requires school districts to include cyberbullying in their policies and notify a child’s parents if he or she is a victim or aggressor of bullying.  Schools can punish cyberbullying wherever it occurs if it materially affects the school environment.  And school must collaborate with law enforcement when serious or life-threatening cyberbullying situations arise.
  • In Ohio, the principal at Dempsey Middle School says the school resource officers are an invaluable asset.  The officers teach classes and talk with students about a variety of issues, including health, legal issues, driving, self-defense, and safety.
  • In Indiana, state law authorizes school districts to create their own in-house police department.  Concord Community Schools created its own police department.  Administrators say students and staff already benefit from educational opportunities and increased safety measures from having two dedicated officers on duty.

Safety Law News for August 23, 2017

  • In Tennessee, state prosecutors say the failure of principals, counselors and teachers to report suspected abuse to proper authorities has become an epidemic.  State law mandates any adult with a suspicion or direct knowledge of child abuse must report it immediately to either child services or the police.  Not doing so is a misdemeanor and could mean jail time.
  • The Ohio Court of Appeals ruled that a school could discipline a student for his off-campus speech. The student participated in a message group that posed a threat to the school.  The school’s emergency removal, suspension, and expulsion did not violate the student’s Due Process or First Amendment rights. [N.Z. v. Madison Board of Education]
  • The United States District Court ruled that school officials did not discriminate against a student, neither by race nor religion, by imposing a three-day suspension after he brought to school a homemade contraption containing wires and batteries that made a beeping sound.  [Mohamed for A.M. v. Irving Independent School District]
  • The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the policy that requires school officials to search unattended book bags is valid. A bus driver found a book bag, gave it to an SRO, who gave it to the school principal. Upon emptying the bag, bullets were discovered.  A subsequent search of the student turned up a handgun. [State v. Polk]

Safety Law News for August 18, 2017

Safety Law News for August 15, 2017

  • In Texas, officials in Gregg County ponder responses to data on the increase of methamphetamine use and addiction.  School resource officers used as educators and mentors are the primary tool being considered to help deter students from the use of drugs.

Safety Law News for August 9, 2017

  • In South Carolina, the school resource officers in Spartanburg are learning more about autism spectrum disorders, how to best communicate with students with autism and what tone and instructions work best for those students.