— In Oklahoma, the Court of Civil Appeals of Oklahoma ruled that a school was not immune from claims by a student victim of bullying at school. The student’s lawsuit claimed that negligence by district employees in the daily execution of the district’s anti-bullying policy resulted in her victimization. The court held that state law does not immunize a school district from a claim of negligence by employees in implementing the anti-bullying policy. J.W. v. Independent School District No. 10 of Dewey County
— In Pennsylvania, $8 million is being granted to schools throughout Pennsylvania for school safety. The Safe Schools Targeted grants, are meant to increase school safety by purchasing equipment, enacting new programs, and hiring security personnel and school resource officers.
— In North Carolina, officials in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are implementing a reporting system this week that allows students to submit anonymous safety concerns. The “Say Something” Anonymous Reporting System is designed to help prevent violence in schools communities by educating students and adults on how to recognize warning signs and act immediately by telling a trusted adult or submitting an anonymous tip.
— In Kentucky, officials at the Jefferson County Public Schools are adding additional rigor to the training of its incoming school safety officers. The officers, who are sworn police but report to the director of security and investigations, will undergo an additional 60 hours covering a range of topics like diversity and bias awareness training, de-escalation strategies, and trauma-informed action. State law requires only 40 hours of training.