Senate Education Committee Hearing Examines School Safety Issues

HARRISBURG – Senate Education Committee Chairman James J. Rhoades (R-29) today emphasized the need for school officials to properly implement state laws regarding the safety and security of public schools during a hearing the committee held on a survey Auditor General Jack Wagner conducted on the issue earlier this year.

"There is nothing more important than ensuring the safety and security of Pennsylvania's public schools," Rhoades said. "This survey shows that the strong school safety laws we currently have on the books are not being implemented properly in all of our public schools. That needs to change."

Auditor General Jack Wagner testified that while most school districts have safe school plans in place, many of those plans are not effectively communicated or implemented. Wagner also testified that 25 percent of school districts do not have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with local law enforcement agencies for handling acts of violence and outlining emergency response procedures.

"Communication between public school officials and local police is essential to making our schools safe," said Rhoades. "Our safe schools law requires this type of communication. Now we need to make sure that it is enforced properly."

In his testimony, Wagner indicated that his department will soon conduct an audit of the Department of Education's Office of Safe Schools to identify any gaps in the enforcement of current state laws.

The Senate has already taken action to strengthen school security during this legislative session. Senate Bill 112 would impose penalties on school officials who do not properly implement the safe schools law.

The legislation was approved by the Education Committee in March and passed the Senate on April 23 by a vote of 48-1. Senate Bill 112 is awaiting action in the House Education Committee.