§ 6-15-1301 - Creation -- Composition -- Powers and duties. - Arkansas Statutes

6-15-1301. Creation -- Composition -- Powers and duties.

(a) The Department of Education is directed to create a Safe Schools Committee.

(b) (1) The Safe Schools Committee shall be composed of the following individuals:

(A) Two (2) classroom teachers appointed by the Arkansas Education Association;

(B) Two (2) school administrators appointed by the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators;

(C) Two (2) school board members appointed by the Arkansas School Boards Association;

(D) A staff member of the department appointed by the Commissioner of Education;

(E) A school safety specialist employed by an Arkansas school district appointed by the commissioner;

(F) One (1) school counselor appointed by the Arkansas Counseling Association; and

(G) One (1) additional person knowledgeable in the field of school safety appointed by the commissioner.

(2) The Chairs of the House Interim Committee on Education and the Senate Interim Committee on Education or their designees shall serve as ex officio members of the committee.

(c) The committee is charged with the following responsibilities:

(1) (A) To develop model policies and procedures that may ensure a safe and productive learning environment for students and school employees for recommendation to school districts. The procedures shall focus on ensuring the security of students and school employees and shall include techniques for prevention, intervention, and conflict resolution.

(B) (i) The model policies and procedures shall include emergency plans for terrorist attacks, specifically including contingency plans for attacks using biological agents, nerve gas or similar chemical agents, and war.

(ii) To the extent practicable, the model plans should include practice drills;

(2) To recommend to the State Board of Education any necessary rules and regulations for ensuring a safe school environment; and

(3) To recommend to the House Interim Committee on Education and the Senate Interim Committee on Education any necessary legislation for ensuring a safe school environment.