School Security Leadership News Digest | June 16-30
Catch up on the school safety news and developments that mattered most over the past two weeks.
📝 Editor's Note
School safety is constantly evolving, making it difficult to keep up with every development. The School Security Leadership News Digest highlights the news, research, funding opportunities, and emerging trends most relevant to school safety leaders.
In this edition, two themes stood out: continued investment in the professionals who support school safety and student well-being, and ongoing changes to state policies that increasingly shape day-to-day school safety operations.
— Amy Rock
Editor-in-Chief
👀 What We're Watching
⭐ Schools Are Investing in the People Behind School Safety
New research points to growing student well-being challenges, while colleges, school districts, and federal agencies continue investing in the professionals who support safe learning environments—from school psychologists to emergency management and special education personnel.
Recent Headlines
- Syracuse School District Gets $4M to Hire School Psychologists
- Central Michigan University Creates School Psychology Apprentice Program
- Kean University Receives Federal Funding to Expand School Psychologists Pipeline
- Nazareth University Launches New School Psychology Master's Program
- Northern Michigan Schools Receive Teacher Shortage Funding
⭐ School Safety Policy Continues to Evolve
State legislatures continue to move beyond broad school safety guidance and toward more specific requirements affecting transportation, student discipline, cybersecurity, and school operations.
Recent proposals and enacted laws illustrate the expanding role state policy plays in shaping school safety responsibilities at the district level.
Recent Headlines
- Ohio School Bus Safety Act Heads to Governor's Desk
- Illinois Increases Penalties for Passing Stopped School Buses
- New Jersey Advances Legislation Affecting Disability Transportation
- New Jersey Considers Private School Discipline Records Legislation
- Kids' Internet Safety Legislation Continues to Advance
- Michigan Court Upholds School Safety Funding Requirements
- Iowa Grants Educators Greater Authority to Manage Classroom Safety, Discipline
📰 More News We're Following
Here are some additional school safety headlines we're watching:
- Mamdani Set to Cut Nearly 300 School Safety Agents
- Security Chief Position Eliminated at Montgomery County Public Schools Due to Budget Cuts
- Claim: Phoenix School Safety Failures Led to Teen’s Murder in Class
- Summer Camp Staffer Arrested in Sexual Assault of Girl at UC Berkeley
- Sex Abuse Claims Against Some Wash. School Districts Are Raising Insurance Rates
- Security Under Review After Rape Suspect Allegedly Enters School Building
🔬 Research & Reports
Recent research and reports worth your attention:
- CENTEGIX Releases New Report on Wearable Panic Buttons
- Shootings Increased Near Chicago’s Closed Schools That Sat Empty
- Deadly Boston School Bus Crash Among Dozens Missing from a Company’s Federal Safety Record
- AI Phishing Gains Inside Access to Vulnerable K–12 Data
💰 Funding Opportunities
Several federal grant opportunities remain open for schools, nonprofits, and partner organizations:
- Preventing Youth Overdose Program (SAMHSA) — Deadline: July 16
- Nonprofit Security Grant Program (FEMA) — Deadline: July 24
- Personnel Development Program (U.S. Department of Education) — Deadline: August 4
For a full list of open grants, check out SchoolSafety.gov's Grant Finder Tool.
🎉 On a Positive Note
Some good news from the school safety community:
- Arizona SRO Rents Out Movie Theater for Low-Income Students’ Field Trip
- Mass. Officer, Therapy Dog Win NASRO’s 2026 Safety Support Companion Award
- Florida Summer Program Gives Teens Hands-On Training with Science, Public Safety Pros
Know of a story, research report, or resource school safety leaders should know about? We'd love to hear from you. Email me at editor@ncssd.org.