ZeroNow, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing school safety, will release the "Path to Safer Schools Act," a new model bill that offers a comprehensive framework for school districts to implement tailored, holistic safety measures. The Act was written in concert with a nationwide group of school security professionals, education administrators and professional associations. The model bill will be available to state lawmakers before the 2025 legislative sessions. The Path to Safer Schools Act outlines a proactive, layered approach to school safety and security strategy, calling for each school district to appoint a School Safety Coordinator (SSC) to oversee district-wide safety protocols. The SSC will be responsible for managing security measures, conducting thorough vulnerability assessments, engaging district stakeholders, and working closely with local law enforcement and emergency response teams.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- ZeroNow, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing school safety, has announced plans to release the "Path to Safer Schools Act," a new model bill that offers a comprehensive framework for school districts to implement tailored, holistic safety measures. The legislation was developed to address essential policy, practices and personnel, combined with both physical security and mental health needs across K-12 schools. The model bill will be available to state lawmakers before the 2025 legislative sessions.
The Path to Safer Schools Act outlines a proactive, layered approach to school safety and security strategy, calling for each school district to appoint a School Safety Coordinator (SSC) to oversee district-wide safety protocols. The SSC will be responsible for managing security measures, conducting thorough vulnerability assessments, engaging district stakeholders, and working closely with local law enforcement and emergency response teams. The Act was written in concert with a nationwide group of school security professionals, education administrators and professional associations.
"As a founder of ZeroNow, my vision was about moving the needle by drawing on a diverse group of school safety professionals, organizations, and technology providers who share a common mission to develop innovative solutions and support essential resources for practitioners and school leaders," said Joe Samaha of VTVCare and Co-Founder of ZeroNow. "With this upcoming launch, ZeroNow and our collective impact partners deliver another practical, adaptable solution that empowers schools to take charge of their unique safety challenges."
Key Provisions of the Path to Safer Schools Act Include:
- Dedicated School Safety Coordinator. Each district will appoint an SSC, responsible for implementing safety protocols and reporting directly to the Superintendent, with the authority to ensure proactive efforts, efficient communication and rapid response.
- School Board Oversight. Regular school safety committees will be required to ensure proper oversight, information sharing and engagement with the families, students, staff and the public.
- Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment. Annual security assessments will be required to identify gaps in physical infrastructure, mental health resources, and emergency preparedness measures.
- Funding and Grant Support. The Act opens pathways for districts to access state grants to support critical upgrades and resources based on vulnerability assessment results, especially in states that pass legislation with insufficient or unfunded mandates.
- Local Control and Competitive Selection. Districts retain autonomy to select the most suitable safety technologies and service providers through open competition and "apples-to-apples" public procurement practices, ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure and meeting specific school needs based on local priorities.
- Thorough Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Resiliency. The Act mandates that districts develop and regularly update emergency response protocols, conduct safety training, and coordinate with local emergency agencies to prepare for a range of potential incidents.
This model legislation aims to address immediate safety needs and long-term preventative strategies, allowing each district the flexibility to implement solutions that best fit their local needs and available resources. By facilitating increased access to funding and providing state-supported guidelines, the Path to Safer Schools Act empowers districts to effectively operationalize and sustain comprehensive safety measures that work.
"School security needs vary greatly, depending on many factors, and local control is essential," said Jonathan Kassa, Executive Director of ZeroNow. "A small school located in a city with large windows and a vestibule is going to need different security measures than a school with larger areas that needs cameras that monitor with a 180- or 360-degree view. School security measures must be planned out holistically, tailored to the individual school's needs. Finding and filling each school's vulnerabilities requires open and free competition."
ZeroNow's "Path to Safer Schools Act" will be available for review by legislators and school officials ahead of the 2025 legislative sessions. State representatives are encouraged to consult with local stakeholders and safety experts as they consider adopting this innovative framework.
About ZeroNow
ZeroNow is a nonprofit collective impact community dedicated to advancing safety in schools nationwide. Working alongside nonprofit associations, education leaders, law enforcement, and technology experts, ZeroNow promotes policies and resources that protect and support safe learning environments for all students and staff. ZeroNow launched The National Council of School Safety Directors (NCSSD) to advocate for building a national standard, certification and continuing education program for School Safety Directors. For more information, please visit www.zeronow.org.
Media Contact
Gigi Thompson Jarvis, ZeroNow, 1 7036083434, [email protected], www.zeronow.org
SOURCE ZeroNow
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