A think tank of educators, law officers and mental-health experts would research and test the best ways to prevent school violence under a bill announced Monday by Gov. Bill Ritter.
The School Safety Resource Center would choose five schools or colleges to test ways to thwart shootings and other emergencies.
“We want Colorado to be a leader in preventing violence, not enduring it,” said Ritter, who as Denver district attorney spent days at the scene of the Columbine High School shootings.
If Senate Bill 1 becomes law, the resource center would help districts monitor bullying, truancy and high-risk behavior to try to prevent school violence.
“There is no pain that can match that,” said Rep. Amy Stephens, a Monument Republican sponsoring the measure.
The center likely will have about $480,000 its first year to hire five researchers, said co-sponsor Sen. John Morse, D-Colorado Springs.
State Education Commissioner Dwight Jones said the resource center would help Colorado move into “prevention mode.” Every school district was required to create a safety plan after Columbine, but most are focused on responding to crisis, he said.
Jennifer Brown: 303-954-1593 or jenbrown@denverpost.com
