The Connecticut General Assembly School Safety Working Group has come up with 16 ideas to address in the new legislative session. Newtown Representative JP Sredzinski says the need for mental health services outpaces the available funding. He noted that communication from pediatrics to schools remains a concern, even though some stems from privacy laws. He says that can be mediated by supporting school-based health clinics.
Schools receiving grants for school security assessments, are required to conduct an assessment every two years but there's no follow up requirement that it's done. Sredzinski also noted that there's no approved consultant vendor list. There's a lack of standard security measures, and recommendations are left to local Boards of Education. He suggests some standards, verified before districts get security grant funding. Sredzinski also wants to see how to incorporate social and emotional learning into school curriculum, or a mental health awareness class.
Based on feedback from school officials, Sredzinski says the state template for school security should be made less cumbersome. He wants the legislature to reexamine and streamline paperwork.
Another proposal is to study the effectiveness of School Security Officers and School Resource Officers, and what training they should have. He also suggested that all sworn police personnel be granted statewide peace officer status so they could respond to an event like 12/14. Similar bills were not approved in previous years because of conflicts with gun free zones not allowing firearms on campus unless the sworn police officer is on duty.
Another suggestion is to require every school district create a permanent committee on school safety design and operation standards and implementation. The committee should include representatives of the superintendent, police authority, fire, EMS, local public health, someone involved in day to day facility maintenance operation and someone from the mental or behavioral health profession. It was also suggested having members of the Board of Ed or PTO involved in the committee.
The Sandy Hook Commission suggested having a licensed architect included in the School Safety Infrastructure Council. Sredzinski says this hasn't happened, but should be looked into. The Commission also suggested funding for the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and Department of Homeland Security to have regional school safety planners to assist districts in coming up with plans and carrying out drills and training. There are 5 regions in the state. The Commission also suggested formal after-action reports being filed for future studying. Sredzinski also wants more active drilling, with DESPP, State Police and the Police Chiefs Association, developing and conducting a joint regional exercise of planned responses to major events. Another concept would required DESPP to review active shooter response plans for every community. If a community doesn't have a plan, DESPP would be required to help them create one. Another proposal is to require the state Department of Education to come up with a statewide plan for responding to large-scale school crisis events.
Sredzinski acknowledged that there are a lot of mandates and will cost money, but he believes each could be implemented. Even if they remain proposals, he says it may give districts the idea and they could then voluntarily implement the ideas.
The Sandy Hook Commission heard testimony that an active shooter has never breached a locked classroom door. He suggests that every classroom be equipped with doors that can be locked from the inside by a teacher. He acknowledged that it would be an expense and maybe it could be a requirement on new construction and renovations. Other Working Group members suggested a dead bolt being installed so the cost burden isn't too excessive. But there were concerns from fire marshals about conflicts with fire code and safety.
