The bill mandates the Department of Education to develop a framework for integrating these safety measures, considering various factors such as the size of the school campus and the number of students. It also requires the Department to pursue federal grants to help fund the costs associated with hiring security personnel. This step aims not only to bolster immediate response capabilities in schools but also to foster a long-term commitment to student safety improvements across Hawaii’s education system.
Summary
Senate Bill 646 establishes a two-year pilot program aimed at enhancing safety at public elementary schools and state prekindergarten programs within the Campbell-Kapolei complex area. The bill recognizes the importance of maintaining secure educational environments for young children, especially in light of recent incidents that raised concerns about school safety. Through this initiative, dedicated school resource officers or registered guards will be assigned to monitor these institutions during student hours, thereby protecting children from unauthorized individuals and potential threats.
Contention
While the bill has garnered support for its proactive stance on student safety, there might be concerns regarding the implementation and associated costs of such a program. Stakeholders may question the efficacy of employing more security personnel in schools versus investing in alternative safety measures or educational resources. Moreover, the reliance on federal grants for funding raises potential uncertainties about the sustainability of the program once the pilot phase concludes.
Requests BESE to study feasibility of consolidating administration and evaluation of the LA4 and 8(g) prekindergarten programs, to ensure that school districts receive necessary support, and to adopt identical standards for programs