Senate Leadership
November 9, 2006
Williams, Gaffey, Stillman Unveil S.A.F.E. Schools Initiative
$15 million sought for security assessments, equipment and training to ensure safety in Connecticut's public schools
Senator Williams speaks at the press conference at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford unveiling the Senate Democrats’ S.A.F.E. Schools initiative. (November 9, 2006)
State Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) together with state Sen. Thomas P. Gaffey (D-Meriden), co-chair of the legislature's Education Committee and state Sen. Andrea Stillman (D-Waterford) co-chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, today unveiled his SAFE Schools initiative (Security Assistance For Education) designed to improve safety and security at Connecticut's public schools. He said the plan will be a priority in the 2007 session of the General Assembly. The senators were joined by parents and educators in making today's announcement.
Sen. Williams' initiative comes at a time of heightened public awareness about acts of violence at public and private schools around the country.
"There are few issues more fundamental than the safety of our schoolchildren. It's critical that our parents truly believe that their child's school is a safe place to learn and grow. Local school districts and parent groups across the state have taken measures to assure the security of our schools," Sen. Williams said. "Yet cities and towns feel a squeeze on their education budgets every year, and they shouldn't have to decide between smaller classes or more secure schools. It's time for the state to step up to the plate. I am proposing approximately $15 million for the SAFE Schools initiative that will help schools assess their security, provide security infrastructure improvements, and ensure school personnel receive appropriate training."
Specifically, Sen. Williams is recommending the following:
- School Security Assessments: $1 million from the Fiscal Year 2007 surplus (currently estimated by the state comptroller's office to be $266 million) to help districts pay for the costs of conducting a thorough assessment of the security at their schools (Cost: approximately $7,000–$10,000 per school).
- Security Infrastructure Grant: $10 million in bonding to help schools purchase and install security infrastructure, such as surveillance cameras, entry door buzzer systems, scan cards, panic alarms, or other systems to improve security. These funds should also be permitted to pay for necessary planning and design. The cost to provide such systems range from $10,000–$200,000 per school, and a state grant will be designed to reimburse most, if not all, of each school's costs on a sliding scale.
- Security Training and Equipment: $4 million from the Fiscal Year 2007 surplus to provide training to school personnel on how to use new security systems, procedures to improve school security, and to improve coordination with local first-responders. Surplus funds should also be made available to help schools purchase portable security devices like metal detector wands and screening machines, if local school leaders determine such options are the most appropriate for their needs.
- School Construction Grants: Additionally, as a condition of receiving a state reimbursement for a new facility, any new school construction application will be required to include plans for security infrastructure. This requirement will also be extended to applications for renovations of school entryways.
"Sadly, we know that if one of these senseless tragedies can happen at an Amish school in a Pennsylvania meadow it can happen anywhere," Sen. Gaffey said. "As a parent with three children enrolled in Connecticut public schools I know in my heart there's no greater priority than the safety of our children. After we entrust them to our schools for the day parents deserve assurance that their children are safe and sound and resulting peace of mind. I join Sen. Williams in making this a priority for the new session."
"Our enhanced sensitivity to school safety issues is an essential component of our overall public safety objectives, which in turn are some of our state government's primary responsibilities," Sen. Stillman said. "It goes without saying that we aim to be prepared for a first response to any and every crisis situation, but our preference would be to prevent and avoid the emergency in the first place. This initiative is the right thing to do in that sense."
Among the concerned parents at today's news conference announcing the SAFE Schools initiative was Tina Veillette of Killingly who has been working with her local school district to improve security. "It's unacceptable that there isn't more money for school security," Ms. Veillette said. "We shouldn't have to make a choice between a security system and a math teacher."
"This comprehensive plan will enhance school security across the state and will ensure our schools remain safe," Sen. Williams said. "Basic safety for students, parents and educators is critical, and they expect nothing less."
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