The Task Force's recommendations are far-reaching and comprehensive, and they reflect the fact that school safety is a community issue. Maintaining a safe learning environment will require special attention from educators, law enforcement agencies, the courts, social service agencies, and parents and students. Tenenbaum has created a new Office of Safe Schools and Youth Services within the State Department of Education. She also noted that her agency has formed a partnership with the National Resource Center for Safe Schools, making South Carolina one of only 13 states chosen for the joint venture because of their strong focus on the school safety issue. If children are taught right from wrong early in life, they will value the life, dignity and safety of others.
Building character is really the best way of stopping school crime.
I look forward to working with Governor Hodges and Superintendent Tenenbaum and the other members of the Task Force to make sure we make our schools the safe places they need to be.