Donnelly Urges Secretary DeVos to Engage Stakeholders in Improving School Safety

Indianapolis, Ind. – Following the recent shooting at Noblesville West Middle School, U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly today urged Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to engage stakeholders in efforts to improve school safety.

In a letter to Secretary DeVos, Donnelly relayed concerns from Indiana State Superintendent Dr. Jennifer McCormick, school resource officers in Indiana, and Hoosier students, parents, and teachers. These concerns include a critical need for social and emotional support programs that help address students’ mental and behavioral health needs, and the necessity to better identify children prone to violence.

Donnelly said, in part, in his letter, “In order to adequately respond to these challenges, it is essential that we listen closely to those who work and learn in our schools and classrooms every day. As Chair of the Federal Commission on School Safety, you have an important opportunity to bring these stakeholders together. As the Commission works to address this issue, I urge you to ensure that it operates in a transparent manner and that these stakeholders, including students, teachers, principals, superintendents, parents, and mental health professionals, are fully engaged in the process. I know many Hoosiers are eager to improve school safety and contribute to productive discussions.”

Earlier this year, Donnelly supported legislation that will provide grants to school systems for increased safety measures, which was included in the bipartisan budget bill that was signed into law. Donnelly also urged the Senate Appropriations Committee to support increased funding for Title IV Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which schools can use for counseling services, mental health, and school safety measures.

To read Donnelly’s full letter to Secretary DeVos, see below or click here.

 

July 3, 2018

 

Secretary Betsy DeVos

U.S. Department of Education

Washington, DC

 

Dear Secretary DeVos,

I am writing to share with you the feedback I have heard following the recent shooting at Noblesville West Middle School in Noblesville, Indiana. This incident, like other recent school shootings, demonstrates the continued need to improve school safety and prevent future tragedies. While it has been inspiring to see the Noblesville community band together in response to this terrible shooting, we are also reminded that we must not lose focus of our collective efforts to ensure that our schools remain a safe place for learning, free from the fear of violence.

Over the last several months, weeks, and days, I have heard from concerned Hoosiers about the safety of our schools. Most troubling are the concerns of students, parents, and teachers that students no longer feel safe in their own schools, which creates an inadequate learning environment. As you know, issues of school safety are complex and often reflect the unmet needs of our students. Of particular note, school officials have expressed the need to increase support for social and emotional programs to address students’ mental and behavioral health needs, as too many schools currently lack the resources necessary to fully address these issues. For example, the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics shows that there are currently 482 students for every school counselor in the United States, which is far above the recommended ratio of 250 to 1.

In addition, I have heard from others that believe we must do more to better identify troubled children prone to violence.  Laws like Indiana’s red flag statute are specifically designed to help keep weapons out of the hands of individuals who are a risk to themselves or others. It is critical that our school districts have the training and resources to work with law enforcement to implement such laws effectively.

In order to adequately respond to these challenges, it is essential that we listen closely to those who work and learn in our schools and classrooms every day.  As Chair of the Federal Commission on School Safety, you have an important opportunity to bring these stakeholders together. As the Commission works to address this issue, I urge you to ensure that it operates in a transparent manner and that these stakeholders, including students, teachers, principals, superintendents, parents, and mental health professionals, are fully engaged in the process. I know many Hoosiers are eager to improve school safety and contribute to productive discussions.

The Noblesville West Middle School shooting was a sobering reminder of the difficult and complex factors that contribute to school violence. I appreciate your attention to this important issue and look forward to your engagement with these key stakeholders in Indiana.

 

Sincerely,

 

Joe Donnelly

United States Senator