Kaul Requests $2.2 Million More for Office of School Safety

Friday, April 7th, 2023 -- 8:00 AM

(Bob Hague, WRN) -Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is asking for more money in the state budget, for school safety.

“We've asked for full funding for our Office of School Safety. It would require about $2.2 million over a two year budget period.” The AG said that would help sustain the "Speak Up, Speak Out" program once federal funding runs out at year’s end.

Wauwatosa Schools Chief of Pupil and Family Supports Luke Pinion says that’s proven effective. “We've seen that and in some cases where there may be threats of violence or threats of fighting that would occur. When we're able to find out sooner we're able to do something about it before it snowballs into something more dangerous.”

“Our tips have ranged anywhere from bullying, to alcohol tobacco and other drug use, to self harm, to fighting, plan to fights and or any kind of endangerment of health and safety.”

Federal funding for that threat-reporting resource center runs out at year’s end. Wisconsin's DOJ Office of School Safety was created five years ago in the wake of the Parkland, Florida school shooting.

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