A portion of a package of school safety bills is expected to see a vote in Lansing this week.
The bills would create an Office of School Safety within the Department of State Police. They would also require school districts to consult with law enforcement about security and emergency plans for situations like active shooters. And they would allow school boards to discuss safety plans in closed sessions.
The bills were introduced after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Jennifer Smith is with the Michigan Association of School Boards.
“The bills that we saw today are perfectly fine," Smith said. "And they’re good things. To have a contact person, to have someone look at your plans for your building to make sure that your building is safe and secure. But, it doesn’t get to the deeper causes of school violence.”
Smith says she hopes lawmakers will take up legislation next year that would offer funding for increased school safety measures.
