Oklahoma task force studies school security, risks

State news

January 24, 2013

Oklahoma task force studies school security, risks

Anonymous Associated Press Thu Jan 24, 2013, 07:00 AM CST

McALESTER — Members of a task force on public school security have wrapped up their first meeting after hearing experts in classroom security and mental health offer tips on detecting and preventing potential risks.

The 22-member Commission on School Security conducted its inaugural meeting at the Oklahoma Capitol Tuesday. The commission plans to meet several more times before making recommendations that could be included in legislation considered by the 2013 Legislature, which convenes on Feb. 4.

Ken Trump, a school security expert and president of National School Safety and Security Services, told the group budget cuts to public education in recent years had forced a decrease in emergency preparedness at public schools across the country. Trump says the nation's focus on school security increased after last month's deadly school shooting in Connecticut.

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