School Safety Law Blog – Page 82 – News and Information for School Safety

Safety Law News for May 26, 2017

by Bernie James • May 26, 2017

In South Carolina, Bamberg’s police chief is apologizing for remarks he made about eliminating the SRO Program from the Bamberg School District during a heated meeting over the costs of the program. Parents were not pleased with the comments.

In Missouri, two school resource officers assigned to the Ferguson-Florissant School District received a national public service award after documenting positive results from their student mentoring program for at-risk students.

In Virginia, officials in Arlington County are implementing a drug dog program. Trained dogs will soon begin patrolling the halls of the high schools in response to concerns over student possession and use of opioids.

In New Jersey, the Superintendent of the Saddle Brook School District in Bergen County is implementing a proactive strategy to rid Saddle Brook schools of drugs. K-9 handlers now sniff hallways, student lockers, restrooms and other areas where drugs could be hidden.

Safety Law News for May 23, 2017

by Bernie James • May 23, 2017

In Georgia, a statewide investigation reports 15 percent of school resource officers in Georgia have troubled pasts. The officers were investigated for things such as excessive force, lying, theft or even sexual misconduct at one of their earlier jobs, but were selected to work in Georgia public schools.

In Massachusetts, The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office has ordered the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School to immediately cease enforcing its ban on braided hair extensions. The AG opinion states that the policy is, “either unreasonably subjective or appear[s] to effectively single out students of color.”

In Minnesota, the St. Paul Public Schools amended the district’s dress code policy to prohibit principals from targeting a specific gender when setting dress-code rules for their schools. The new policy will eliminate unequal treatment of girls in the enforcement of school dress codes.

In North Carolina, officials in Cleveland County are implementing new policies to combat the growing juvenile gang population. School resource officers have been receiving training to protect youth in the community from being coerced into gangs.

Safety Law News for May 19, 2017

by Bernie James • 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 the ninth grade before dropping for a student’s senior and junior year, making early intervention important.

In Texas, teachers and administrators at Austin Independent School District will go through a new mandatory student safety training program. Topics will include the educator’s code of ethics, appropriate student and employee relationships, and reporting child abuse and neglect.

In New York, the controversy continues over the policy of the New York City schools to give students “warning cards” instead of criminal summonses for disorderly conduct, unlawful possession of marijuana, and other low-level offenses.

In Ohio, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the policy of the Columbus City School District to search unattended book bags—to determine ownership and whether the contents are dangerous—furthers the compelling governmental interest in protecting students from physical harm. The policy was challenged by a student, whose book bag, left on the school bus, was found to contain bullets for a gun the student possessed while in school. [State v. Polk].

Safety Law News for May 17, 2017

by Bernie James • 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 Columbine look childish.” [Major v. State]

In Florida, the Alachua County Juvenile Justice Council is assessing new approaches to address the high rate of school expulsions associated with drug use, suicide, anger management and mental health issues.

In Pennsylvania, Senate Bill 383 would allow school boards to permit teachers and staff to carry firearms. The bill would require employees to volunteer for the armed position, hold a concealed carry permit and complete training.

In Texas, officials in the Prosper Independent School District, that includes Collin County and Denton County, are implementing a new policy for the annual Prom that will require that students take Breathalyzer tests conducted by school resource officers before entering the event.

Safety Law News for May 11, 2017

by Bernie James • 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 of students, school corporation personnel…stand in the relation of parents to the students of the school corporation.” [Orr v. Ferebee].

In Louisiana, the Court of Appeal of Louisiana upheld the search of a student after a teacher observed what he believed to be a hand-to-hand transaction between the student and another student known to have issues with marijuana. [State in Interest of K.L.]

In Texas, the Court of Appeals of Texas upheld the search of a group of students by a school resource officer who was responding to an anonymous tip that marijuana use was in progress by a group of students near the school. The officer’s corroboration of its reliability established reasonable suspicion. [Matter of V.G.]

In Indiana, the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled that the questioning of a student by a law enforcement officer at the request of an educator does not transform the questioning into a custodial interrogation if the SRO is acting to fulfill an educational purpose. [B.A. v. State].

Safety Law News for May 3, 2017

by Bernie James • 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 marijuana use.

In Delaware, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency will begin implementation of the Comprehensive School Safety Program. The program is designed to enhance public safety in all of Delaware’s public schools through emergency preparedness plans and collaboration between schools and local agencies.

In Ohio, the Georgetown Exempt Village School District will begin arming school staff with the fall semester of the 2017-2018 school year. The identities and number of the volunteer armed school staff will remain confidential.

In Ohio, the D.A.R.E. program will make its return to the Shelby City Schools after an eight-year hiatus.

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