– In Massachusetts, the United States District Court, held that school officials “have broad discretion in restricting visitors,” and refused the lawsuit of a parent who argued that he had a constitutional interest to access the school during school hours. The school barred the parent “from entering on or remaining in or upon (campus) buildings or surrounding grounds while school is in session …to the end of the …school year,” after the parent obtained a student’s phone number on while on campus and solicited her participation in his volunteer program without parental consent. The court reasoned that, “the First Amendment does not guarantee the right to communicate one’s views at all times and places or in any manner that may be desired… (a) school during school hours is typically a nonpublic forum.” The court concluded that the school policy was “narrowly tailored to serve (the school’s) significant government interest in ensuring student safety.” Worthley v. School Committee of Gloucester
— In Arizona, the Governing Board of the Phoenix Union School District is being urged by the District’s student safety committee to bring back school police. A student who served on the student safety committee stated, “We are not gun experts. We are not drug experts. We can’t even handle human trafficking, That is why we need them there. The response time is extremely important.” The state superintendent has announced a grant to fund the officers if the safety program is reinstated. The grants allow schools in Arizona to get funding for counselors, social workers or school resource officers. Polling shows Arizona residents in support of armed resource officers on school campuses.
— In Texas, the legislature is considering a proposal to increase school safety through providing additional mental health training for school resource officers. House Bill 4777, will educate the officers in different mental health conditions that students experience, so they can direct the students to the right resources.
— In Florida, the Broward County School Board has voted to hire and pay 200 school resource officers at a salary of $103,000 annually, as part of a three-year plan. The officers will be assigned to individual schools.