School Safety Law Blog – Page 83 – News and Information for School Safety

Safety Law News for April 25, 2017

by Bernie James • 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 Officer is law enforcement, while a dean of students is focused on engaging students, parents and families.” Police will be called as needed in the future.

In Arizona, Scottsdale Schools are utilizing a proactive, non-punitive approach to student discipline that tracks student misconduct referrals to identify problem behavior and teach social skills. The program is called Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) and is used on each campus to combat bullying and harassment.

In Oregon, a recent investigation disclosed that two-thirds of schools in the Portland Public Schools lack up-to-date alarm systems, complete fire sensor coverage or other life-saving equipment required by fire and rescue standards.

Safety Law News for April 18, 2017

by Bernie James • 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 — have decreased by 44 percent over the same period.

In Ohio, the Indian Valley Board of Education gave unanimous approval to a new weapons policy permitting qualifying staff members to possess firearms on school premises. The schools in the district have identified staff members who will undergo training.

In Pennsylvania, the Senate Education Committee will soon vote on Senate Bill 383 that would allow school personnel to carry loaded weapons in public schools. Under the provisions of the legislation, each school district has discretion to allow employees who have a concealed-carry permit and appropriate training to have access to firearms.

In Massachusetts, officials in Hingham utilized a unique approach to revising the school safety Memorandum of Understanding between the police and the school district. There were several public sessions to discuss the MOU and to solicit input. The officials worked on the MOU revisions for more than a year.

Safety Law News for April 13, 2017

by Bernie James • 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 as recommended by law enforcement agencies or a firearms association.

In Virginia, the Fairfax County Public School District is installing the ScholarChip’s Visitor Management System in its elementary, middle and high schools. When a visitor, vendor, or volunteer comes to a school, their drivers’ license is scanned. An integrated national database is searched, and if the person is approved, they are issued a nametag for entry to the school.

In Washington State, the Peninsula School District is partnering with the local YMCA to implement a “Safety Around Water” program. The program will serve all eight elementary schools and includes four 45-minute lessons focused on lifesaving swimming skills.

In Indiana, school officials at the Peru Community Schools are taking steps to create their own in-house school police department to protect the district’s five school campuses. The Superintendent says that the goal for creating a school police department is to ensure students are receiving the best protection possible and feel safe at school.

Safety Law News for April 10, 2017

by Bernie James • 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 our students. They develop relationships with our teachers and with our children that just can’t be replaced.”

In New Jersey, the Bloomfield School District will participate in New Jersey Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS). SRTS authorizes the creation of safer routes to and from school by identifying problem areas and proposing solutions. It serves as a basis for funding SRTS projects with Federal Highway Administration funding.

In Ohio, officials in the West Liberty-Salem Local School District are installing a fully opening escape window in each classroom, switching door locks and considering implementing a SRO program in the wake of a shooting that injured a student there.

In Louisiana, the Pointe Coupee Parish School District is reassessing its policy on cellphone restrictions for students. Almost 20 percent of the disciplinary referrals teachers have written this year at the parish’s lone high school had to do with cellphone violations.

Safety Law News for April 5, 2017

by Bernie James • 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 high school student on campus, is raising questions about illegal immigration and school safety. The two students who allegedly committed the assaulted entered the country illegally.

In Arkansas, school resource officers for the City of Cabot, are implementing a two week-long Junior Police Academy for middle school and junior high students in the Cabot School District this summer. The programs aim to build healthy relationships with the youth of the community.

In South Carolina, Horry County school officials say that the 20 year-long SRO program plays a key role in their schools, building relationships and providing a safe environment.

Safety Law News for March 30, 2017

by Bernie James • March 29, 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 that juveniles post to social media apps like Facebook and Snapchat.

In Virginia, Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed into law a new policy that allows former law enforcement officers to carry firearms while working as security guards for public schools. The law, which takes effect July 1, says the ex-officers must have been employed in Virginia and retired or resigned in “good standing” within the last 10 years.

In North Carolina, officials in Polk County are evaluating a response to statistics that sexting cases with middle and high school students are on the rise.

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