THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

238

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

Urging the Department of EDUCATION to provide a school resource officer or registered guard at each elementary school and state prekindergarten program.

 

 

     WHEREAS, in March 2018 at Kipapa Elementary School, a boy reported that a man approached him in a school restroom and tried to grab his hand; and

 

     WHEREAS, on December 12, 2019, a manhunt in Waipahu prompted officials at Waipahu High School and August Ahrens Elementary School to place those schools on lockdown; and

 

     WHEREAS, on February 27, 2020, following a report of a man armed with a gun in Ewa Beach, Ilima Intermediate School, Pohakea Elementary School, Kaimiloa Elementary School, and Campbell High School initiated a lockdown; and

 

     WHEREAS, some elementary school students may not be old enough to properly assess potential dangers and act accordingly; and

 

     WHEREAS, posting dedicated security personnel at elementary schools and public facilities that provide prekindergarten care will help to deter the presence of individuals that do not belong on school campuses, identify potentially dangerous situations, and ensure that children are protected and can learn in a safe environment; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Education is urged to provide a school resource officer or guard registered pursuant to Chapter 463, Hawaii Revised Statutes, at each elementary school and state prekindergarten program during hours when students are expected to be on campus; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is urged to provide multiple school resource officers or registered guards at larger elementary schools and prekindergarten programs; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if necessary, the Department of Education is urged to seek federal grants and county funding for the costs of providing school resource officers or registered guards; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent of Education, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and Mayor of each county.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

DOE; School Safety; Security; Resource Officer