44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

REQUESTING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO REVIEW THEIR STUDENT DISCIPLINE POLICIES AND SCHOOL SAFETY PLANS AND STUDY OTHER SCHOOLS' SUCCESSES WITH CURBING SCHOOL VIOLENCE.

WHEREAS, something is seriously wrong in a society in which school children are shooting each other and themselves in such great numbers; and

WHEREAS, the multiple shootings on school grounds in Arkansas, Colorado, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania captured the attention of the nation; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico's recent experience with school violence makes it clear that this problem is not limited to big cities or "somewhere else", and that there is no such place as "not here" when talking about bad things happening; and

WHEREAS, all citizens, not just parents, must insist that schools be safe places for children to learn; and

WHEREAS, school districts all over the country have been investigating the problems and solutions to school violence, and there are programs that have proven successful, such as conflict resolution and mitigation curricula for students, enhanced training for school personnel and the use of active or retired law enforcement personnel who have been specially trained to deal with students;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that school districts be requested to review their student discipline policies and school safety plans and revise them as necessary; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that school districts study and consider for adoption school safety initiatives from other school districts in New Mexico and around the country; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the state's school districts.