|
Dear Neighbor,
Here's hoping you have a good Labor Day weekend. It looks like it's going to be a hot one, so please keep an eye on anyone who may be vulnerable to the heat, including pets.
As for legislative news,?I am among many who are concerned about how changes in state law made earlier this year could compromise safety in Minnesota schools.?
An omnibus education bill (HF 2497)?enacted into law after the 2023 session concluded?imposes new prohibitions on the use of force in schools,?banning certain physical holds by ?an employee or agent of a district, including a school resource officer, security personnel, or police officer contracted with a district."?
This could undermine our ability to provide a safe learning environment for all students and staff throughout our state. The League of Minnesota Cities and the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association are among groups to recently raise concerns publicly regarding this issue.?Student Resource Officers have been removed from numerous Minnesota schools in recent weeks.
This situation is important in our area, where school districts have?utilized Student Resource Officers in the past.?I have talked with local officials and they are very concerned about the ambiguity with this change in law. We need to resolve this issue as soon as possible for the safety of students and staff and to also tighten up any legal vulnerabilities that may have been created in state statute.
On a related note, House Republicans authored legislation during the 2023 legislative session?stipulating a student who is violent could be removed from a classroom and then returned after a consultation by the school administrator with the teacher, parents, and appropriate school support personnel regarding ways to improve the student?s behavior. The Democrat majority initially included the measure in an omnibus education package last spring but removed it from the bill late in the 2023 session.
Sincerely,
Paul
|
