Rockefeller: Safer schools mean safer kids

OLYMPIA – Acknowledging the harsh reality of violence in schools, Gov. Christine Gregoire today signed legislation to improve school safety procedures and better protect Washington’s children.

“Too many of us have a Norman Rockwell concept of the classroom,” said Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Kitsap County. “We can’t let yesterday’s innocence and idealism stop us from protecting our kids today. It’s a different world and we have to adapt.”

SB 5097, sponsored by Rockefeller, requires Washington schools to adopt a safe school plan, including updated school mapping information, by Sept. 1, 2008. Schools will be required to conduct at least one safety-related drill each month, including a drill using the school mapping information system and a drill for lockdowns. Schools should also consider drills for earthquakes, tsunamis or other high-risk local events.

“Safer schools mean safer kids,” Rockefeller said. “We have to be aggressively proactive, and the time to act is now.”

SB 5097, unanimously approved by both the Senate and House of Representatives, goes into effect on July 22.

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