— In Massachusetts, the Appeals Court of Massachusetts held that the statements of a student to a teacher that, “[the teacher] makes me so angry! I want to kill that bitch,” were intended to place the teacher, in fear and therefore, did not constitute protected speech. The court ruled that it was a close case. Even so, state law protects teachers from threats. Moreover, the student’s words were intended to place the teacher, in fear. The teacher believed the student intended harm to her, and the student demeanor during a meeting with the assistant principal placed the threat in context. Commonwealth v. Leonardo
— In Ohio, officials at the Columbus City Schools are expressing confidence with the resources for protecting students after the removal of police officers. In lieu of school resource officers, 104 non-sworn school security officers are being deployed in the schools to walk the halls, engage with students, and monitor more than 6,000 cameras to determine when to call police.
— In Virginia, parents in the Arlington County schools are questioning the decision of administrators at a local high school who refused to call police in the wake of a campus fight involving a group of students. Parents later showed up at the high school, after which police were called. Arlington County removed its school resource officers over concerns of over-policing of students of color and amid protests of systemic racism. Now parents who wish to press charges against student assailants are concerned that the school is violating state law that requires schools to immediately report certain criminal offenses to police.
— In North Carolina, educators and policymakers state-wide convened to develop a statewide school safety plan for all grade levels K through 12. Led by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, the plan includes hiring more school resource officers and mental health coaches and focusing on early prevention and active shooter training.