— In New York, the Supreme Court, Appellate Division refused to dismiss a lawsuit brought by parents whose kindergarten child was assaulted in the bathroom. The court held that “schools are under a duty to adequately supervise the students…and will be held liable for foreseeable injuries.” Then the court ruled that because school policy kept information about incidents from being shared with teachers and staff, the educators failed to establish that they lacked notice of prior similar sexual assaults. (Charles D.J. v. City of Buffalo & Buffalo Bd. of Education)
— In New York, the Massena Central School District Board of Education will retain its school resource officer program but have decided to cancel the agreement with local law enforcement so it can hire its own officers.
— In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Justice has expanded the resources available to schools through its Office of School Safety by creating the “Speak Up, Speak Out Resource Center.” The center will have staff available 24/7 to consult with schools on assessing safety threats, coordinating crisis response teams and operating a statewide school threat reporting system.
— In California, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to permanently end its School Resource Officer program and to redirect the funds to socio-emotional counselors and into the creation of wellness centers and cultural sensitivity programs.