— In California, the California Court of Appeal affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by parents whose children were in a school classroom when the husband of the teacher entered the room, shot and killed his wife, a student, and himself in front of the class. The court agreed with the school district that these actions were unforeseeable. Therefore, although schools have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect students, the school’s safety requirements, including registration requirements for school visitors who are considered outsiders, and other aspects of visitor/outsider access to school grounds, played no role in the incident from which liability could be based. C.I. v. San Bernardino City Unified School District
— In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of School Safety released the 2021-2022 Annual Report for Speak Up, Speak Out, a statewide confidential reporting system. The platform is designed to allow students, school staff, and community members to share information concerning potential school violence. The Report reports a15.2% percent increase in tips, receiving 136 potentially life-saving tips. Bullying and suicide threats were the two most reported tips.
— In Iowa, the Lewis Central Community School District Board of Education voted to tighten its policies on tobacco and e-cigarettes on school grounds. Under the new policy, students found in possession of tobacco or vapes will be referred to the police. Previously, schools were confiscating vapes and tobacco from students and imposing school discipline.
— In Indiana, officials in rural Shelby County school district will arm its staff with guns under a new school safety response team. Staff members who volunteer will receive training and firearms.