School Safety Law Blog – Page 96 – News and Information for School Safety

Safety Law News for April 26, 2016

by Bernie James • April 26, 2016

In Colorado, the Douglas County School District plans to arm its security staff with 10 semiautomatic rifles designed to provide a high-powered defense in the event of a shooting or other violent incident.

In Illinois, the Community Consolidated Elementary District 21 serves Wheeling, Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect and Prospect Heights. In a close vote, the school board made a budget priority to keep police officers in the schools to build rapport with students and provide a sense of security.

In Florida, officials in Duval County are in conflict over restorative justice policies. Student arrests are down 39%, but the State Attorney says educators are exceeding the limits of the Code of Conduct. Florida law allows schools to deal with “petty acts of misconduct and misdemeanors” in-house.

In Oklahoma, the Oklahoma City school district reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Education after an investigation determined black students accounted for 42 percent of in-school suspensions during the 2014-15 school year, while comprising 26 percent of the population, according to a statement released Wednesday by the department.

Safety Law News for April 15, 2016

by Bernie James • April 15, 2016

In South Carolina, school resource officers in North Charleston schools serve as a primary source of reports and referrals to local child care agencies.

In Mississippi, a new study reports teachers perceive a difference in the safety of the school based on the type of officers utilized in the campus safety plan. Teachers perceived being more safe in schools with sworn and armed school resource officers as opposed to schools with unarmed and non-sworn school safety officers.

In Virginia, the governor vetoed legislation that would have allowed private school security officers to carry firearms on school property under certain conditions. [HB 1234]

In California, parents are voicing concerns after the Kingsburg Joint Union High School District board unanimously approved a new policy allowing up to five employees to carry a concealed weapon on campus.

Safety Law News for April 11, 2016

by Bernie James • April 11, 2016

In California, a state appellate court ruled that the warrantless search of student’s cell phone by school officials following an incident in which a firearm was discovered on campus was valid. [In re Rafael C.]

In North Carolina, an appellate court upheld the conviction of a student for disorderly conduct in violation of state law. The student directed profanity toward teachers, who stopped teaching and also required various administrative duties from the assistant principal, teachers, and the school resource officer. [In re K.S.D.]

In New York City, parents sued New York City schools for failing to address increasing levels of violence . The class-action lawsuit claims the public schools are so dangerous that it has deprives students of their constitutional right to an education.

The American Psychological Association calls student-on-teacher violence “a silent national crisis,” and recommends schools prepare to replace teachers who leave the profession “prematurely.” Eighty percent of the nation’s teachers have been victims of threats or physical violence. Some suggest that restorative justice policies are responsible for the crisis.

Safety Law News for April 5, 2016

by Bernie James • April 5, 2016

In Florida, a state appellate court ruled that a student, who was suspended, had no legitimate business on campus and violated statute governing trespass on school grounds when he went back into the school. [MM v. State]

In North Carolina, an appellate court upheld the conviction of a student adjudicated delinquent for cyberstalking in violation of state law. The student sent vulgar text messages to a school staff member. [In re J.L.H.]

In Maryland, an appellate court upheld the adjudication of a student for willfully disturbing school activities in violation of state law when he cursed at an assistant principal in the hallway while students were changing classes. [In re Terelle A.]

In Washington State, an appellate court reversed the adjudication of a student’s microblog posts stating that she wanted to punch another student in the throat using a hashtag stating that the student “must die.” The court ruled that the post did not constitute a “true threat.” [State v. Kohonen]

Safety Law News for April 1, 2016

by Bernie James • April 1, 2016

In Tennessee, schools in Alcoa, Maryville and Blount County are keeping a stock of the lifesaving anti-overdose drug Naloxone. School resource officers and nurses have received training.

In Illinois, House Bill 5617 has been introduced. If enacted into law it would limit student arrests during the school day, during school-sponsored events or in school vehicles unless the student has committed a felony.

In Minnesota, legislation has been proposed that would require public school districts to expel students who assault a teacher. The Teacher Protection Act includes a provision that the expelled student cannot be returned to the classroom of the assaulted teacher unless the teacher agrees.

In New York City, the number of students receiving suspensions is dropping. Suspensions fell 31.7% compared to the same period the year before. Restorative justice discipline policies are the reason for the decrease.

Safety Law News for March 29, 2016

by Bernie James • March 29, 2016

In Minnesota, a Minnesota company has invented a handgun that folds up to look just like a smartphone. In locked position, the .380-caliber plastic pistol with a metal core can be discreetly slipped into pockets, like a real phone.

In South Carolina, A months’ long review by The Greenville News found discrepancies between what the district is reporting in its annual crime reports to the state Department of Education and what local police are investigating on school grounds. Assault cases, including four reports of sex offenses were omitted by school officials.

In Indiana, school officials and law enforcement in Goshen have implemented a K9 team to the campus safety program. Goshen High School as the school resource officer (SRO) with the Goshen Police Department.

In Texas, school resource officers at the Austin ISD Police Department are quitting for better paying jobs in other jurisdictions, leaving campuses unprotected.

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