— In New York, the Massena Central School District is looking for a local law enforcement agency to supply it with a school resource officer. Its contract with the Massena Police Department was not renewed. The department cited potential liability as one of the reasons for not renewing the contract. Educators have reached out to see if the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office would be interested in partnering with them.
— In Washington State, the Court of Appeals of Washington held that a school was not liable for ongoing impairment related to a concussion a student received while on a school sponsored trip. The court ruled that while schools have “an enhanced and solemn duty to protect minor students in their care,” the educators properly notified the parents of the incident after which the parents could have inquired further of the District, requested a medical evaluation, or instructed that the child be held out of further activities. [Anderson v. Snohomish School District No. 201]
— In Florida, the District Court of Appeal of Florida upheld the conviction of a teacher for child abuse upon evidence that the preschool student was pushed and tripped multiple times. The court ruled that the teacher was not entitled to acquittal due to the fact that the student was not being physically injured because the statute defined child abuse as “intentional act that could reasonably be expected to result in physical or mental injury to a child.” [Stillions v. State]
— In Illinois, the Chicago Board of Education voted to keep its contract with Chicago police. School officials said that several reforms have been made to the program, including more training for officers.