School Safety Law Blog – Page 85 – News and Information for School Safety

Safety Law News for July 6, 2017

by Bernie James • July 6, 2017

In Kansas, officials in Topeka are implementing a new school-based discipline memorandum of understanding that formalizes the collaboration among the school district, Topeka Police Department, Shawnee County Corrections and the Kansas Children’s Service League that operates the county’s juvenile intake facility.

In Pennsylvania, the state Senate approved legislation that allows school teachers to carry firearms at their schools. Senate Bill 383 is meant to ensure campus safety especially in rural where response times can vary.

In Wisconsin, a sixth-grade teacher held back tears at a school board meeting as she explained why student abuse was forcing her to resign her job at a Green Bay middle school. Police were called to the middle school almost daily in the past school year.

In Maryland, the Montgomery County Public Schools are spending $1.5 million to upgrade security. The security upgrades were approved after two Rockville High School students were accused of sexually assaulting another student on campus. The improvements will include vestibules near entrance doors, security gates, lock changes, upgraded security cameras, and the hiring of additional school resource officers.

by Bernie James • June 28, 2017

In Ohio, the Ohio Court of Appeals upheld a trial court ruling that found a 12-year-old delinquent for violating a state law that provides that “No person, with knowledge of its character or content, shall recklessly… [d]irectly sell, deliver, furnish, disseminate, provide, exhibit, rent, or present to a juvenile, a group of juveniles, …any material or performance that is obscene or harmful to juveniles.” The juvenile “sexted” a photograph depicting the bare breasts of a 12-year-old classmate to other students. [In Re L.Z.].

In Colorado, the Governor signed into law HB 17-1302, the Juvenile Sexting Crime Act. Under the law, prosecution of juveniles who text sexual pictures takes a multi-tiered approach that defines varying levels of sexting from a civil infraction that carries a $50 fine to felony charges for more serious cases.

In Minnesota, St. Louis County school officials say the School Resource Officer Program has been a huge success. The district had a grant to pay for the program. Once that funding ran out, they couldn’t support the program. The St. Louis County Board has signed on to provide 100 percent of the funding.

In Georgia, Savannah officials report that referrals by school resource officers dropped from 189 in 2014 to 115 in 2016. School resource officers, school administrators and teachers are using positive behavior intervention training instead of zero-tolerance.

by Bernie James • June 22, 2017

In Florida, the Clay County Public Schools Superintendent sent out a letter alerting parents to television shows and social media that may encourage children to either hurt themselves or commit suicide. The TV show “13 Reasons Why” and a lesser known social media post known as the “blue whale Challenge,” were mentioned.

In North Carolina, the Wake County school board approved an agreement with local law enforcement agencies to continue the School Resource Officer Program through June 2020. The officers will provide security, speak in classes and mentor students. Some residents were opposed to continuing the program.

In Virginia, Loudoun County School Board members have been working with school principals to rework the dress code policy that outlines what clothing is appropriate—and what’s banned—with the goal of creating a more consistent standard. Hats and spaghetti-strap tank tops are out, yoga pants are in.

In Colorado, the Weld County Sheriff’s Department in Colorado is offering a three-day course designed to train educators to use firearms properly in the classroom and to use trauma kits and tourniquets for those injured by knives or gunshots.

by Bernie James • June 19, 2017

The United States District Court in Connecticut ruled that two school resource officers were not immune from a civil lawsuit for damages for excessive force, assault and battery, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress for tackling and tasing a high school student. [Jackson on Behalf of Z.J. v. City of Middletown].

In Virginia, the Governor signed HB 1924 and SB 829 into law. The laws require educators in the state to develop best practice alternatives to school suspensions. State officials also have created a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and updated School Resource Officer Program Guide.

In South Carolina, school officials in Horry County are looking to hire private armed guards to provide school security instead of contracting with police for school resource officers. The private company, U.S. Security Associates, is an insured, American-owned company that provides private security in the United States.

In Kansas, educators in Topeka are hosting 6th and 7th grade students for a one-week SRO Camp. The camp is a partnership between the Topeka Public Schools and the Topeka Police Department during the summer to give students and officers a fun way to get to know one another.

by Bernie James • June 15, 2017

In South Carolina, a Bamberg County Councilman says critics of the SRO program will not silence him or the president of the local Parent Teacher Organization who say they were “appalled” the city was considering eliminating the SRO program, which they believe keep children safe.

In Wisconsin, officials on the Wauwatosa School Board are opposed to the proposed “right to carry” bill that seeks to allow guns in many places current law now prohibit, including schools.

In California, a new class, “Law and Social Justice,” is wrapping up its first year at Berkeley High School. Students work closely with police, public defenders, law schools, death penalty reform advocates, and district attorneys to give students a front row seat to the justice system. The SRO and the students say relationships are improving in the school and the community.

In Alaska, school officials in the Anchorage School District are responding to a spike in teen suicide rates by revising its Crisis Response Team. The expanded network of professionals will be based on the “PREPaRE” model created by the National Association of School Psychologists.

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.