WV SCHOOL SAFETY Newtown Prompts Adding Of School Safety To WV Session Agenda
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Heath Harrison
Reported: Feb. 10, 2013 3:16 PM EST
Updated: Feb. 10, 2013 10:38 PM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
The massacre of 20 Connecticut first-graders and six adult staffers has West Virginia officials talking school safety ahead of the Legislature's session.
West Virginia already has 64 armed and federally trained Prevention Resource Officers in 32 counties. Officials are weighing expanding their presence. But state Schools Superintendent Jim Phares said he doesn't want to send the message that violence is winning.
Phares has informally approached the National Guard to check schools for safety flaws and train staff. Education officials and lawmakers are also reviewing mental health care resources.
House Speaker Rick Thompson said school safety could join other topics arising from the in-depth study of the state's education system. The Wayne County Democrat may assign the issue to the special committee he formed to handle the recent education audit.
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Associated Press
