— In Maryland, the United States District Court, refused to dismiss a case brought by parents of students who were assaulted in the school’s locker room as a part of a hazing ritual known as “brooming.” The court ruled that the parents successfully stated constitutional injury claims based on the Fourteenth Amendment that, “includes a substantive due process right against state actor conduct that deprives an individual of bodily integrity.” The court found that the educators promised appropriate oversight and discipline of known troublemakers, but failed to act; eliminated a previously required study hall for bullies; failed to implement supervision of the football locker rooms, despite being directed by higher ups to do so; and ignored the fact that coaches had failed to take mandatory training. Doe v. Montgomery County Board of Education
— In New York, the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators passed a resolution authorizing the board chair to sign contracts establishing a school resource officer program for school districts in the county. SROs, according to the resolution, will be a deputy sheriff of the county Sheriff’s Office who is assigned to work in collaboration with a particular school. The role of the SRO includes being a protector, enforcer, first responder, mentor and community liaison.
— In Tennesseee, the Memphis school board unanimously voted to keep sheriff’s deputies in schools and renewed its school resource officer program. The memorandum of understanding was amended “to address community concerns and national conversations about negative interactions between students and campus police.”
— In Mississippi, Columbus officials are partnering with the Columbus Municipal School District to explore problems and possible solutions to the increase in gun violence. According to data, seventy-one students have experienced gun violence in the past five years as a victim or shooter. The Columbus schools require students to enter the building through metal detectors at least three times a week, or more often after a violent event has occurred in the community.