Similar legislation, he said, was passed in Ohio. Three years after the passage of that law, he said, a survey was done to assess school violence. Ninety percent of teachers reported feeling safe, while 48 of 50 schools reported that their violence prevention programs were still in place, he said. Atricia Kenagy, a staff development coordinator at Educational Service Unit 10, said it was important for school districts to develop their own programs. Programs should focus not only on the immediate problem, but the overall cause, she said.
Violence prevention is about more than the actual violent behavior.
Kathryn Piller of Omaha said the committee should consider combining LB 740 with LB 697, a bill sponsored by Columbus Sen. Jennie Robak. That bill would provide for school safety plans and annual assessments of school safety. Omaha Sen. Kermit Brashear, a committee member, said he was frustrated by continual, costly attempts to solve school violence, like those proposed in both bills. Piller said times, and society, have changed. Rules used to be clear and laid out, she said.