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

Safety Law News for June 9, 2017

by Bernie James • June 9, 2017

In Kansas, the Shawnee Mission School District is now providing Smith & Wesson semi-automatic assault rifles to its school resource officers as a precaution to prepare for an active shooter situation.

In Louisiana, anti-bullying legislation (SB 158) has passed through the Senate and now is on its way to the State House of Representatives. The legislation seeks to impose harsher consequences for students who bully – including arrests for a first offense.

In Virginia, Prince William County officials announced that it will deploy body-worn cameras this fall on all school resource officers.

In South Carolina, the Horry County School board is looking at other funding options after the County Council yanks funding for the SRO program.

Safety Law News for June 1, 2017

by Bernie James • June 1, 2017

In Minnesota, the U.S. District Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by a St. Paul teacher who sued the school district for injuries sustained in an assault by a student. The court ruled that the teacher failed to prove his case merited special consideration beyond the sole remedy provided by the state’s workers’ compensation system. [John Ekblad v. Independent School District No. 625].

In California, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to renew the SRO program. However, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will have to report back with data to prove the “effectiveness” of the program if it is to continue.

In Montana, officials in Ravalli County are in agreement on funding a full-time deputy to serve in the schools. The County Superintendent says; “an SRO acts as a deterrent. [T]hey also act as a kind of teacher.”

In Nevada, Senate Bill 225 will expand anti-bullying policy to require all schools, including private schools, to train employees on issues of gender identity, promptly report bullying incidents, and establish a school safety team focused on ensuring a safe and respectful learning environment. It will be voluntary for private schools to adopt the state policy.

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.

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