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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC WS PACKET 04302024- Joint with School BoardCITY OF SAINT ANTHONY VILLAGE WORKSESSION AGENDA Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 6:00PM Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting may do so in person. Minutes Worksession Topics Introductions Of New City Staff Introductions Of New School Board Staff Updates From The City And The School District BeSmart Resolution Discussion SCHOOL BOARD RESOLUTION DRAFT.PDF SCHOOLSAFETY.POSITION -PAPER.2024.PDF Future Worksession Dates, Times And Agenda Items Adjournment If you would like to request special accommodations or alternative formats, please contact the City Clerk at 612 -782 -3313 or email city@savmn.com . People who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact us by using 711 Relay. Our Mission is to promote a high quality of life to those we serve through outstanding city services. 1. 2. A. B. C. D. Documents: 3. 4. THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK DRAFT Resolution School Boards Secure Storage Notification Whereas, St. Anthony - New Brighton Schools is committed to the safety and security of all people in our school community; Whereas, Evidence strongly suggests that secure firearm storage is an essential component to any effective strategy to keep schools and students safe; Whereas, An estimated 4.6 million American children live in households with at least one loaded, unlocked firearm; Whereas, Every year, roughly 350 children under the age of 18 unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else. That’s nearly one unintentional shooting per day, and 70 percent of these incidents take place inside a home; Whereas, Another 1,200 children and teens die by gun suicide each year, most often using guns belonging to a family member; Whereas, In incidents of gun violence on school grounds, 75 percent of active shooters were current students or recent graduates; Whereas, Research shows that secure firearm storage practices are associated with up to an 85 percent reduction in the risk of self-inflicted and unintentional firearm injuries among children and teens; Whereas, The U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center recommends the importance of appropriate storage of firearms because 76 percent of school shooters used firearms acquired from the homes of parents or close relatives; Whereas, Across the country, lawmakers, community members, and local leaders are working together to implement public awareness campaigns, such as the Be SMART program, which is endorsed by the National PTA and which encourages secure gun storage practices and highlights the public safety risks of unsecured guns; Whereas, School districts across the country have begun to proactively send materials home to parents and guardians informing them of applicable firearm storage laws and firearm secure storage best practices; Whereas, Keeping students, teachers and staff safe from the threat of gun violence should be the responsibility of all adult stakeholders at each of our school sites; Whereas, State law requires adults to securely store their firearms where a child may or is likely to gain unauthorized access to a firearm; Whereas, In order to continue with preventative measures to increase student and school safety we must act now; now therefore, be it Resolved, That the Board directs the Superintendent and staff to update the Student Handbook to include information about the importance of secure gun storage, the legal requirements of parents and guardians to securely store their firearms, and that the best practice for secure gun storage is to keep all guns unloaded, locked up, and separate from ammunition; Resolved further, That the Board directs the Superintendent to create an appropriate letter to parents and guardians that explains the importance of secure gun storage in preventing minors from accessing guns, the legal requirements of parents and guardians to securely store their firearms, and that the best practice for secure gun storage is to keep all guns unloaded, locked up, and separate from ammunition, to be included in annual registration materials at each school site, and requiring a signature acknowledging awareness of secure gun storage responsibilities; and, be it finally; Resolved, That the Board and the Superintendent will continue to work with local law enforcement agencies, health agencies, and non-profits to collaborate and increase efforts to inform District parents of their obligations regarding secure storage of firearms in their homes. For reference: AMSD School Safety Position Paper Position on School Safety Approved by the AMSD Board of Directors, January 2024 AMSD BELIEVES • Public schools have become the de facto mental health system for children and youth. • According to the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey: 1 o 29 percent of students reported long-term mental health problems, compared to 23 percent in 2019 and 18 percent in 2016. o 28 percent of 11th graders have seriously considered suicide at some point in their life, and at significantly higher rates for our LGBTQ+ students. o 21 percent of students reported being bullied or harassed weekly in at least one way during the 30 days preceding the survey; the results are higher for students from low income backgrounds (40 percent) and LGBTQ+ students (31 percent). • An estimated 4.6 million American children live in households with at least one loaded, unlocked firearm. Evidence shows that secure firearm storage is an essential component to keep schools and students safe. It is critical for the safety of children at home that the Legislature expand and pass safe storage laws. • Every year roughly 350 children under the age of 18 unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else and another 1,200 children and teens die by gun suicide each year, most often using guns belonging to a family member. • Statistics indicate that in incidents of gun violence on school grounds, 75 percent of active shooters are current students or recent graduates and up to 80 percent of shooters under the age of 18 obtained the gun from their own home, a relative’s home, or from friends. 2 References: 1 The 2022 Minnesota Student Survey, Minnesota Department of Education 2 The Violence Project: How To Stop A Mass Shooting Epidemic by Jillian Peterson, PhD and James Densley, PhD State policymakers must prioritize school safety by providing necessary funding for secure facilities, staff training and support, and specialized mental health services. In addition, state policymakers should strengthen requirements for secure firearm storage to reduce gun violence. BACKGROUND • A safe and welcoming learning and work environment is an essential characteristic of an effective school. • Keeping students, teachers and staff safe from the threat of gun violence is the joint responsibility of educators, parents, law enforcement, community leaders, and state policymakers. • School safety is a collaborative community endeavor situated in the local context through ongoing communication and training across schools, law enforcement, and community organizations. • School districts must be given the resources needed to provide safe learning environments for students and staff. • It is critical to reduce stigma and increase knowledge of mental health problems and ensure access to high quality mental health treatment. ENDNOTES