HR0749 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0749 LRB095 13942 RAS 39732 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Few issues confronting school district officials, teachers, students, and parents are as significant as school safety; and

WHEREAS, Every student and teacher has the right to attend a school that is safe and secure, one that is free of fear and conducive to learning; and

WHEREAS, School safety awareness is essential, as well as strategic planning and communication among State officials, school officials, teachers, the Department of State Police, local law enforcement, and communities; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois lacks a comprehensive school safety protocol that not only prepares schools to respond to a crisis situation, but also instills prevention tools to impede violent incidents from occurring; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the State Board of Education undertake the development of a comprehensive model protocol for school districts in this State to enhance violence response and prevention; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education shall (i) study school safety best practices that create a safe learning environment; (ii) investigate school district building communication protocols when teachers, students, and other school personnel have been threatened directly or indirectly; (iii) review current State laws, rules, and policies for obsolete or inefficient safe school practices and ensure that any school safety laws, rules, regulations, and policies are consistent with local law enforcement recommendations; (iv) review other states' actions on school safety protocols; and (v) propose a comprehensive model of school district safety protocols to the General Assembly and any related statutory recommendations; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education shall file a report of its findings and recommendations with the General Assembly on or before January 15, 2008.