Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances bill expanding school‑safety program to fund officers, technology and assessments
Summary
SB1233 would broaden Arizona’s school safety grant program to support school safety officers, alternative proposals to purchase security equipment, mandatory emergency plans and regular safety assessments; the committee gave it a due‑pass recommendation after mixed votes and public comment.
Senate Bill 1233, advanced Feb. 11 by the Senate Education Committee, expands the state school safety program to allow funding for placing school safety officers on campuses and to create an alternative proposal process when schools cannot place officers.
The bill requires districts and charters that receive grants to develop an emergency response plan and to contract with a school safety assessment provider at least every five years. It further directs the Arizona Department of Education to publish an approved list of assessment providers and to randomly sample districts and charters every three years to check compliance. The measure also requires training for school officers on interacting with children with disabilities and exempts building blueprints and floor plans from public‑records disclosure.
Why it matters: Proponents said the bill will improve safety on campuses and allow flexibility when placing school resource officers (SROs) is not feasible. Michael Kertenbach, who served 33 years with Phoenix Police and later as ADE’s director for school safety, said the program had increased demand for officers and that provisions enabling retired officers to serve in schools could free local police for broader duties.
Opposition and debate: Public comments came from a retired teacher and community members who expressed concerns about the bill’s provisions regarding counselors and social workers; one speaker urged removal of a provision she attributed to “liberals” and raised broader social concerns about counseling in schools. Several committee members sought amendments and asked for additional conversations with school administrators on implementation details.
Vote and next steps: The committee recorded five ayes and two nos, giving SB1233 a due‑pass recommendation. One senator reserved the right to change a vote on the floor pending an amendment. Sponsors and ADE staff signaled further discussions and potential technical amendments before the bill moves to the Senate floor.
