Issue Position: Information Regarding School Safety

Issue Position

In the wake of December 14, 2012's tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, many Massachusetts residents are asking questions about the safety protocols and emergency response plans in our public schools. All local school districts are currently reviewing their response plans and protocols in order to identify any area that might need some improvement.

Here are some online resources that will be able to answer some of your questions:
Requirements for School Evacuation/Multi-Hazard Plans- This link will show the existing Massachusetts requirements for developing "multi-hazard evacuation plans" specific to each school.
http://safesupportiveschools.ed.gov/- A link to U.S. Department of Education resources on school safety.
http://rems.ed.gov/- A link to U.S. Department of Education resources on school safety and response readiness.
No words can erase the pain and heartbreak caused by last week's tragic loss, but it is clear to me that the time to act is upon us. Although Massachusetts has some of the strictest gun control laws in the country, including a statewide ban on assault weapons, I am nonetheless committed to working with my colleagues in the Legislature to determine what further steps we can take to prevent this horrible violence from taking place in the future.

I encourage any resident of my district who has questions or concerns about this issue to contact me via e-mail at Alice.Peisch@mahouse.gov or by calling my office at (617) 722-2070.

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