Understanding the Complexities of School Safety In Alaska : A Financial Analysis of Proposed Legislation in HB55

1. Understanding the Complexities of School Safety In Alaska:A Financial Analysis of Proposed Legislation in HB55 PADM 628 April 12, 2013 August Axtell, Annalisa Hood, Joy Key & Amber Sawyer

2. The Current Climate of Gun Violence In Schools “If there is even one step we can take to save another child, or another parent, or another town, from the grief that has visited Tucson, and Aurora, and Oak Creek, and Newtown, and communities from Columbine to Blacksburg before that -- then surely we have an obligation to try.” President Barack Obama

3. Historical Overview of School Violence, Legislation and the Law

4. Legal Rights and Responsibilities of Students and Schools In 1986, School District No. 403 v. Fraser, the United States Supreme Court acknowledged that in drafting student codes, school officials cannot possibly anticipate all misconduct (U.S. Supreme Court Media, 2013). In 1997, Hill v. Safford Unified School District, a mother brought charges against aschool districted and the teacher for negligence and wrongful death because the student was involved in a verbal confrontation with a gang member while at school.   In 1995, Brum v. Town of Dartmouth, a violent altercation between two groups of youths resulted in the murder of a student on school property.  The student’s parent filed an action against the school district, the town and municipal officials, alleging various civil rights violations and negligence. In 1997, Morse v. Lower Merion School District, a school district was not liable for the death of a teacher shot by a local resident who had entered the school building through an unlocked back entrance, according to the 3rd United States Circuit Court of Appeals.  

5. Federally Funded Programs

6. Funding School Safety In Alaska Alaska school districts do not receive any school funding dedicated exclusively to school safety.  Rather, they get “general” state funds to operate their schools.   Each district then creates its unique budget. Portions of which would support elements that contribute to school safety. This could include social emotional learning programs, Positive Behavioral Support and Intervention Programs, or other similar programs, school safety resource officers, school safety hardware like security cameras, staff training on Crisis Response Preparedness, etc..) (SOA DEED, 2013).

7. House Bill 55: Alaska State Legislative Session 2013 "An Act allowing school districts and private schools to adopt a policy authorizing one or more permanent employees to possess one or more firearms on school grounds under certain conditions."

8. National School Safety Programs Tactics for managing school safety programs Funding mechanisms from Federal and state resources

9. National School Safety Programs • Increase in police officers assigned to schools • 18 States authorize firearms in schools by authorized adults • Not all states authorize firearms on campuses • Security Resource Officer (SRO) roles & responsibilities • Triad Method: • Law enforcement • Counseling • Education

10. National State Funding Issues and Grant Program History • Decrease in federal funding for school safety/security programs • National Grant Funding Programs Impacted • Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) • COPS in Schools (CIS) – • funding for law enforcement agencies that allows: • Police officers assigned to schools • Grant funds salaries & benefits • 3 year award • Obama’s plan could provide up to 1000 officers

11. Examples of State Programs and Funding Sources: COPS CIS Program State funding Local funding Matching funds Funding through violation fees Innovation grants Corporate Donations

12. Prevention and Intervention:Effective Methods for Managing School Safety School Resource Officers in the Anchorage School District: http://www.youralaskalink.com/news/APD-School-Resource-Officers-Say-Community-Involvement-Play-Major-Role-In-School-Safety-184144891.html

13. Current Alaska Education/Safety-based Programs in Selected K-12 Districts Anchorage School District (ASD): • 18 SROs assigned to ASD primary/secondary schools • Share personnel expenses with APD • ASD provides: • Office space • Computers • Supplies • SROs assist in emergency planning/drills & are authorized to carry firearms

14. Current Alaska Education/Safety-based Programs in Selected K-12 Districts Fairbanks North Star Borough District (FNSBD): • 2 SROs assigned to: • West Valley High School • Lathrop High School • FNSBD pays 12 months following grant award • $529,698 approved September 14, 2009 • SROs trained in Gang Resistance Education Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program • SROs authorized to carry firearms on school grounds

15. Current Alaska Education/Safety-based Programs in Selected K-12 Districts Juneau School District (JSD): Superintendent's office indicated no current security personnel. Security matters addressed by school principals Director of Administrative oversees Risk Management and School Safety Director of Student Services addresses Emergency Preparedness and Response, Anti Bullying, and the Tobacco Prevention Counselors & Grant

16. COPS Grant Awards – Alaska • Funding received - $3,740,246 • Government • State • Police • Tribal • Funding allocations spread throughout the entire state of Alaska – both urban & rural funding • 31 SRO assignments funded through COPS in Alaska • Last awards issued in 2009

17. Sample Budget Proposal for Anchorage School District Safety (Not including SRO’s)

18. Important Considerations in the Policy Making Process Location and geography in Alaska Available funding in school districts, boroughs, and tribal areas Implementation costs, training and certification Current programs – Such as SRO’s and other safety programs Funding mechanisms and revenue sources at a federal, state and local level

19. Thank You! Questions? Comments?