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1.1.4
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DRAFT RESOLUTION:
Whereas, the safety of all children in our schools is of paramount importance; and
Whereas the proposed 5% reduction to the current Federal education budget would include $425 million in cuts to mental health and school safety programs, such as the School Emergency Response to Violence Program and Project Prevention Grants; and
Whereas seventeen students and staff members were killed and many others were injured as a result of a school shooting in Parkland, Florida on February 14, 2018; and
Whereas in the past five years, 439 students and staff members have been shot in more than 239 school shootings across our Country; and
Whereas a need for greater access to mental health services for students and families in our schools and communities was ranked as a top funding priority by the majority of Superintendents in New York State; and
Whereas we believe that every child has the right to a safe school environment that has an appropriate level of security as determined by our community; and
Whereas a reasoned and rational approach to gun control and increased access to mental health services for students and families in our schools and communities are essential elements of a safe school environment; and
Whereas the Chappaqua Central School District fosters civic discourse and promotes student understanding of government and current issues; and
Whereas a coordinated effort at the Federal and State levels, boosted by law enforcement and community engagement, is needed to change the paradigm and protect our communities and our schools;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District calls upon the New York State Assembly, the New York State Senate and the Governor to implement a reasoned and rational approach to address gun control and background checks, and prioritize funding and resources for increased access to mental health services for students and families in our schools and communities; and
RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District implores Federal and State leaders to take immediate action to:
- Provide additional funding to schools and communities for adequate mental health, social, and guidance services and resources for the purpose of prevention, support, and response;
- Provide funds for districts to upgrade their facilities if internal safety audits find there is a need for improvements;
- Provide funding for essential security personnel and related professional development for all staff, as determined by the local school district
- Enact rational and reasonable gun control measures; and
RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District affirms that the civic engagement of students in Parkland, Florida and beyond, who are speaking out for school safety, support for mental health services, and legislation to address gun violence needs to be heard.
RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District opposes any reductions in federal or state funding for education that would cut mental health or school safety programs; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District calls upon the Governor, NYS Assembly and NYS Senate to address gun violence and provide support for local school districts to promote school safety.
The Board of Education directs the District Clerk to send a copy of this resolution to the following people:
- David Buchwald, New York State Assembly Member
- Terrence Murphy, New York State Senator
- Nita Lowey, US Congresswoman
- Senator Charles Schumer, US Senate
- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, US Senate
- Andrew Cuomo, the Governor of the State of New York
- Carl Heastie, the Speaker of the New York State Assembly
- John Flanagan, the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate
- Catherine Nolan, State Assemblywoman, Chair, Committee on Education
- Carl L. Marcellino, State Senate, Chair, Committee on Education
- Judith Johnson, NYS Board of Regents
- Betty Rosa, Chancellor, NYS Board of Regents
- MaryEllen Elia, NYS Commissioner of Education
- Lisa Davis, Executive Director, Westchester Putnam School Boards Association
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Chappaqua Central School District