(TRENTON) – The Senate Education Committee and the Assembly Education Committee will host three joint meetings in April to hear testimony from invited guests, as well as members of the public, on issues related to school security.
“Gun violence is a public health crisis that has affected many of our communities for far too long,” said Senate Education Committee Chair M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex). “In New Jersey, we commit ourselves to protecting our most precious state resources — our children and our teachers — with comprehensive proactive measures that include safety protocols ranging from mental health awareness to structural building improvements. I look forward to these hearings to gather the best ideas, and craft procedures, programs and preventive measures to keep our children and their educators safe.”
“The issue of school security has never been more pressing. Children should not fear going to school,” said Assembly Education Committee Chair Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden/Burlington). “We want to hear not just from experts, but from teachers and school administrators as well as parents and students, about what we can do to enhance security at our schools. It has been inspiring to see so many young people focused and undeterred as they rally for change. We owe it to them to do what we can to provide a safe learning environment.”
The joint committee will meet at the following locations on the following dates:
· Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 10 a.m. in Committee Room 4, 1st Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
· Monday, April 9, 2018 at 3 p.m. at Camden County College, William G. Rohrer Center, 1889 Route 70 East, Cherry Hill, NJ
· Monday, April 23, 2018 at 3 p.m. at Rutgers University-Newark, Paul Robeson Campus Center, 350 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd, Newark, NJ
The joint committee will hear testimony from invited guests at the April 5 meeting.
Students, parents and other members of the public are invited to share their thoughts and recommendations on school security at the April 9 and April 23 public hearings.
Individuals wishing to testify can register by calling (609) 847-3850.