CBC8E1871FA07BD98725845C005BA30B Hearing Summary

Dr. Diana Sirko, representing Mesa County Valley School District 51, Chris Gdowski, representing Adams 12 School District, John McDonald, representing Jefferson County Public Schools, Dr. Thomas Tucker representing Douglas County Schools, and Erin Kane, representing American Academy, came to the table as a panel to respond to the questions listed in Attachment C.

Dr. Sirko spoke about the measures Mesa County has taken in the area of response to threat assessments. Mr. McDonald raised the issue of inadequate funding to provide mental health services. He discussed the lockdown drill protocol used by Jefferson County.

Ms. Kane recommended focusing on consistency in the school safety framework and expressed her opinion that Safe2Tell is extremely valuable and saves lives. Dr. Tucker stressed the importance of a balance between physical safety and psychological safety. He agreed with Ms. Kane's focus on consistency. Mr, Gdowski indicated that the safety protocols in Adams 12 schools have come about through lessons learned, rather than legislation. The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Discussion continued about local control in the school safety space. The panelists spoke about funding decisions that have to made about whether to fund school resource officers or mental health professionals.

The discussion turned to consistency under the Claire Davis Act. The panelists raised concerns about the lack of specificity around the reasonable standard of care in the act. The committee talked about the reasons that kids in Colorado are in crisis.

Senator Fields returned to the issue of lockdown drills. Mr. McDonald walked the committee through the process of a drill.