school safety

School Safety Bills Head to Senate Vote

Elisabeth Harrison — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:24:43 +0000

The full State Senate is scheduled to vote Tuesday on several bills filed in the aftermath of deadly shootings at Connecticut’s Sandyhook Elementary School.

The bills would require schools to craft safety procedures in conjunction with local law enforcement and have their plans reviewed annually by the state.

Legislation that Makes School Safety Plans Secret Worries Open Govt' Groups

Catherine Welch — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:20:05 +0000

A handful of open government groups are urging Gov. Lincoln Chafee to block legislation that would shroud school safety plans in secrecy.

Senate Approves School Safety Drills

Elisabeth Harrison — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:57:38 +0000

The Rhode Island Senate has passed a bill requiring monthly safety drills at all public elementary and secondary schools. The bill also calls for two lockdown drills every year. Supporters say the requirement will make students and staff more familiar with school safety procedures.

The bill is part of a series of measures aimed at increasing school safety in the wake of the shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown Connecticut. The incident killed 20 students and 6 staff members, and it has sparked a national debate about gun control.

Senate Plans Vote on School Safety

Elisabeth Harrison — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:05:40 +0000

A vote scheduled today in the Rhode Island Senate could change the way public schools conduct emergency drills. The measure is a response to the mass shooting in Newtown Connecticut, where 26 elementary school students and teachers were gunned down during the school day.

The bill calls for monthly emergency drills including lockdowns and emergency evacuations. The idea is to better prepare school staff to handle a situation like the one in Newtown.

Chafee Calls for Review of URI Gun Scare

Flo Jonic — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:37:16 +0000

Governor Lincoln Chafee says he’s relieved and grateful that no one was seriously injured yesterday at the University, where a report of an active shooter on campus proved to be unfounded. The campus was on lockdown for about two-and-a-half hours.

The governor said in a statement the state will review what happened. He said the incident provides a unique opportunity to review emergency operations and how the situation was handled.

School Safety Returns to Spotlight

Elisabeth Harrison — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:48:26 +0000

Rhode Island lawmakers will consider legislation Wednesday aimed at increasing safety measures in public schools. The bills, now in the House and Senate Education Committees, would require school and law enforcement officials to work together to look for weaknesses in building security and craft new school safety plans.

Plans for Safety Upgrade at North Providence Schools

Flo Jonic — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:54:10 +0000

The town of North Providence is planning a major upgrade to school security. It’s the result of the schoolroom massacre in Newtown, Connecticut.

Class notes: school safety after Newtown

Elisabeth Harrison — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:47:39 +0000

Gist: Mandatory school safety plans unlikely

Senate committee to review school safety

Elisabeth Harrison — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:48:12 +0000

School safety procedures dominate the agenda today at the State Senate Education Committee. Lawmakers say the discussion will feature State Education Commissioner Deborah Gist, State Police Superintendent Col. Steven O'Donnell and officials from the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency.

The oversight hearing follows the shooting last month at a Newtown, Connecticut elementary school that left 26 students and teachers dead.

Connecticut’s legislature is also slated to review school safety standards in the wake of the tragedy.