- The United States Court of Appeals ruled that school officials were liable when a teacher allowed a student to leave the classroom with an unidentified adult. The court reasoned that the risk of harm was so obvious as to rise to the level of deliberate indifference. [L.R. v. School District of Philadelphia]
- The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the criminal conviction of a teacher for “intentionally subject[ing] a person … to mistreatment.” The teacher punished a student bully by asking other students to “Come on, boys and girls, let’s line up and let’s bully [the bully].” Several students were allowed to strike the bully. [State v. Ambrose]
- The United States Court of Appeals ruled that school officials have the authority to discipline a student for off-campus, non-school related misconduct. The student harassed two disabled children in a public park, shortly after school let out. [C.R. v. Eugene School District 4J]
- In New Jersey, the governor vetoed legislation for school resource officer programs. The proposal, S86, would establish a special category of police officers to protect K-12 and college campuses. The governor says he wants to make sure the legislation requires and specifies proper training.