• In California, the California Court of Appeal ruled that a student was properly adjudicated for making a criminal threat when he used a black “sharpie” marker to write the following statement on the wall of a bathroom stall: “Don’t come!!! Skool Shooting after Spring Break [smiley face] Blood kidz.” The court reasoned that officials could reasonably infer that the graffiti was an actual threat written with the intention to instill fear of a school shooting in those who saw or heard about it. The state law sought to punish those attempting to instill fear in others and the evidence did not need to show that the student intended to carry out the threat. (In Re D.N.)
• In Virginia, officials in the Mesa Public Schools are experiencing an enormous increase in student vaping violations. The number of students disciplined for vaping has more than doubled each year since 2016. In 2018, the district had 645 vaping-related violations.
• In Illinois, the City of Marion has deployed officers in every school in the district. The city and the district are sharing the cost. The police agency is paying for uniforms, firearms, training and body armor. The school district will pick up the wages for each officer.
• In Illinois, the Illinois Association of School Boards, is considering a resolution to support legislation that authorizes arming school faculty. The IASB resolution would authorize “voluntary district employees, in any capacity” to carry a concealed firearm if they have obtained the necessary licenses, certifications and training.