Policymakers heed PSEA members’ school safety recommendations

PSEA members told lawmakers that keeping students safe should be a top priority – and they listened.

Working with Gov. Tom Wolf, state legislators crafted a comprehensive school safety bill that includes $60 million in school safety grants. The proposal passed the Senate and House on June 22, and the governor signed it into law.

“This is a thoughtful, comprehensive bill aimed at keeping our schools, students, and educators safe,” said PSEA Treasurer Jeff Ney. “We’re very pleased that lawmakers and Gov. Wolf have made this a priority, because it’s definitely a top priority for us.”

The school safety and security grant program will provide school districts $60 million in school safety grants for a menu of programs designed to meet specific, local needs. It also includes the Safe2Say initiative, a safe and anonymous way for educators, students, and community members to report threats of violence or instances of bullying.

In the aftermath of the shooting deaths of 17 students and staff in Florida in February, Wolf approached PSEA for suggestions and PSEA asked members to offer their views. Nearly 1,000 members responded, and PSEA shared them with Wolf and lawmakers.

“It’s clear that we all want to make sure that our schools and students are safe from the kinds of horrible tragedies that we’ve seen in too many schools in our country,” Ney said.  “Gov. Wolf and the General Assembly have made this a priority, and that will go a long way toward making our schools safer.”

PSEA members speak out on school safety, and policymakers listen

Gov. Tom Wolf asked PSEA for ideas about how to keep schools safe, and PSEA members shared nearly 1,000 specific suggestions. In March, PSEA President Dolores McCracken delivered a report to Gov. Wolf and lawmakers. Highlights include:

• Increase appropriations for school safety grants.
• Establish threat assessment and crisis teams.
• Focus on student wellness.
• Work with Congress to protect the Title I, II, and IV funding designed to provide healthy and  secure learning environments.
• Provide space and opportunity for school districts to work together to find customized solutions.

Read the full report at www.psea.org/schoolsafety.