Sebelius asks Legislature to help keep schools safe and prepared
Governor recommends funding in attorney general’s budget for safety effort

A report from the Commission on Healthy and Prepared Schools has been delivered to members of the Kansas Legislature reviewing the governor’s 2009 budget recommendations.

“Unfortunately, school violence continues to be an issue facing our communities,” Sebelius said. “The opportunity to create a safer learning environment for our children is an investment worth making.”

In the fall of 2006, Governor Sebelius created the Commission on Healthy and Prepared Schools. Chairing the commission is Dr. Bob Hull, safety consultant for the Olathe school district and Division Chief of Training and Safety for the City of Olathe Fire Department.

The commission submitted recommendations to the governor in October. The recommendations seek to ensure all Kansas schools are uniformly prepared, equipped, and trained to respond to any emergency and provide a healthy learning environment for all students.

Based upon those recommendations, the governor’s budget includes $200,000 in the Attorney General’s Office for Healthy and Prepared Schools.

These funds will be used to work with the Kansas State Department of Education to improve coordination between all state agencies and school districts, support school districts in the creation of comprehensive crisis management plans, and develop model training programs to be used throughout the state in schools and communities.

Additionally, the governor’s budget maintains funding for the Kansas School Safety Hotline, 1-877-626-8203.

To read the report in its entirety, please visit http://www.governor.ks.gov/initiatives.htm

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