The bill amends Chapter 302A of the Hawaii Revised Statutes by introducing provisions for school resource officers and guards specifically assigned to public educational institutions. The responsibility for hiring these security personnel falls on the Department of Education, which will consider various factors such as the size of the school and the number of students when determining the appropriate number of officers or guards needed at each location. This initiative reflects a proactive approach to enhancing student safety and addresses the perceived vulnerabilities within these settings.
Summary
SB243, introduced in the Thirty-Second Legislature of Hawaii, addresses the growing concerns regarding safety in public elementary schools and prekindergarten programs. The bill mandates the assignment of school resource officers or guards at these educational facilities during hours when students are present on campus. This measure is aimed at ensuring the safety and security of young children, particularly in light of several alarming incidents reported in recent years, such as threats and unauthorized individuals attempting to access school premises.
Contention
While the introduction of SB243 is largely seen as a necessary step in strengthening school safety, potential points of contention may arise regarding funding and resource allocation. The bill includes a provision for the Department of Education to seek federal grants to cover the costs associated with hiring school resource officers and guards. Concerns may be raised about the adequacy of funding and whether the appropriated amounts will sufficiently cover the long-term staffing and operational expenses of such security measures.
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