Like most states, California's school budgets are under extreme pressure. Teachers are bearing the brunt of rising healthcare and retirement costs, while infrastructure is failing without sufficient funds to make necessary repairs. Putting a dent in what schools are paying to settle liability claims would help keep dollars focused where they should be – in providing quality education for our children.  But what is the true impact of those claims?

Sound fundamentals are the backbone of a strong school security program, and in the wake of the latest school shooting tragedies, now is the time to review “the six ‘R’s” of school security which lead to a resilient school.

In today’s public school environment, both students and staff are constantly on the alert for unauthorized persons on campus. Children, in particular, are often taught to announce the presence of unknown third-parties with the familiar cry of “stranger danger!” But what about those persons (other than parents or guardians) who are temporarily invited to be on school property?

Every day the media reports on new stories involving children harmed by bullying, in both big and small ways. Any institution that provides programs for children (e.g. schools, day camps, park districts, recreation departments) faces the potential that bullying may occur on its watch and the risk that it may be held responsible for the impact of that behavior, or, at a minimum, be required to defend itself against allegations that it should have done more.