In the wake of the tragic school shooting in Texas, a Nebraska lawmaker is calling for the creation of a task force to review current school safety, security, and preparedness practices and identify evidence-based strategies and impactful solutions to ensure Nebraska’s schools remain safe.
Lynne Walz is the legislature’s Education Committee Chairwoman and is asking Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt to create the task force.
Walz convened leaders from Nebraska’s education community on Wednesday and again Thursday to discuss strategies for proactively moving forward to address school safety issues.
“In Nebraska, we are recommitting our efforts to keep students and educators safe. From mental health supports and the new Safe2Help Report Line, Nebraska schools are committed to early interventions for students in need. Likewise, school buildings are equipped with the necessary infrastructure and personnel as security best practices are studied and shared,” Walz says.
In the coming weeks and months Walz says Nebraska education leaders will ask tough questions, process gathered information, listen to experts and assist schools in doing everything in their power to keep students safe.
She says every issue and idea are on the table for consideration. “We grieve for the victims and their families. We are steadfastly committed to ending gun violence and to working with parents, policymakers and all concerned Nebraskans to advocate for and provide safe classrooms for every student and teacher.”