Rep. Yaccarino Joins School Safety & Security Working Group

This bipartisan working group will be designed to evaluate the implementation of safety and security measures the state mandated following the events of Sandy Hook, and to produce new recommendations to ensure school security and safety going forward.

State Representative Dave Yaccarino (R-North Haven) joined a legislative School Security and Safety Working Group. This bipartisan working group will be designed to evaluate the implementation of safety and security measures the state mandated following the events of Sandy Hook, and to produce new recommendations to ensure school security and safety going forward.

In the aftermath of last month’s school shooting in Parkland, FL, there has been discussion in Connecticut and across the country about school security among educators, students and parents.

“I am committed to doing what it takes to make our schools a safe place for our students,” said Yaccarino. “It is no surprise that our nation has experienced much tension regarding the safety of students and faculty in our schools, and we cannot continue this way. This working group of experts and education stakeholders will discuss and explore a variety of ways in which we can ensure our schools remain safe learning communities.”

At a recent press conference, members of the group announced the following action items:

  • Summarize current school safety legislation
  • Measure school districts’ knowledge of current legislation
  • Use and availability of existing state and federal funds
  • Review of whether regulations and associated programs have been implemented
  • Availability of school-based mental health professionals
  • Parents’ knowledge and understanding of their district’s security measures
  • Local educators’ view of the effectiveness of legislation and related programs
  • Determine viability of school security measures installed years ago
  • Identify new trends and techniques in school security
  • Collect recent concerns of educators, students and law enforcement
  • Determine what other states are doing

The legislators also intend to communicate with their districts, teachers, superintendents, and students to get feedback on what has been done, how things have changed and what they still feel needs to change.

Among the working group’s proposed participants:

  • Republican and Democrat legislators
  • School superintendents
  • Law enforcement personnel
  • Mental health professionals for children
  • Federal agency liaisons
  • School security consultants
  • Students and parents

State Representative Dave Yaccarino represents the 87th district, which includes North Haven. She is the Ranking Member of the General Assembly’s Commerce Committee and a member of the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee and the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee.

Posted by Chris

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