GOP Lawmakers Edge Closer To Deal On Walker’s School Safety Plan

Republican lawmakers at the Capitol on Tuesday appeared to move closer to a deal on Gov. Scott Walker’s school safety proposals.

The Senate passed the bill 28-4 Tuesday that would fund a $100 million grant program for schools to do things like make safety-related upgrades to buildings and train staff on how to respond to violent incidents.

An earlier version of the proposal included language about funding for armed safety officers in schools. That piece of the proposal was eliminated in the latest version of the deal.

“I think we’re all overwhelmed by what’s been going on nationwide, and we’re searching for answers,” said Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau. “I think the bill that we’re working on right now for school safety is something that both sides of the aisle are unified on.”

Walker unveiled the school safety proposal last week. Since then, some students and community groups have criticized it for not including changes to gun laws, including broadening background check requirements and increasing the minimum age for gun purchases.

“You can move into that other area, which is gun control, and suddenly you see that it’s very hard to build consensus,” Fitzgerald said. “And as a result of that, I think that’s why you see what’s before us today. We’re going to do what we can do and see how that goes first.”

In addition to the $100 million grant program, the proposal would create a new Office of School Safety within the state Department of Justice. The new office would oversee the grant program, create model practices for school safety, and provide safety training to schools.

The plan would also establish new reporting requirements for school employees who hear students make threats of violence.

In addition to eliminating the language about armed safety officers, the proposal would also eliminate language requiring notification of parents about incidents of bullying in school within 48 hours.

Fitzgerald told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he expects the state Assembly to take up the Senate’s changes Thursday.

A spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, did not confirm that. She said negotiations between the Assembly and Senate are ongoing.

The two chambers need to pass identical plans in order for the changes to move to Walker’s desk.

At a Tuesday public hearing about the proposals, some Assembly Democrats raised concerns about the grant program, saying schools should be awarded money for safety improvements without having to apply.

“Why are we making this a process whereby we may have to choose winners and losers,” said Rep. Dave Considine, D-Baraboo. “Why aren’t we just awarding the money to school districts, why aren’t we just giving it to them?”

Rep. Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville, argued the grant program will allow schools to request what they need, rather than giving a set amount to all schools.

“I have 13 school districts myself (in my district) — they’re very excited about this plan, because they each have individualized needs and wants,” Novak said.

Carla Pennington-Cross, a mother of two from Glendale, testified against the bills at the hearing.

“I see us creating and encouraging a culture of accusation and not support,” Pennington-Cross said of the plan. “I see us encouraging an increased presence of guns and armed guards in our schools.”

Pennington-Cross also criticized lawmakers for moving so quickly on the bills.

“I think there are so many ways to create safety in our schools,” she said. “We could take time to craft wise legislation. It’s disrespectful to parents and families to rush ahead so quickly.”