Date: 09/09/2015

Final
Public Testimony

SCHOOL SAFETY AND YOUTH IN CRISIS

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04:01 PM -- Public Testimony

Michael Davis introduced himself. He thanked the committee for their work and suggested that the committee keep its end goal in mind: helping kids who are identified as high risk get help before tragedy strikes. He discussed the importance of sharing information and reviewed the arbitration process his family is currently engaged in with Littleton Public Schools to determine how the incident involving his daughter, Claire Davis, was handled. Mr. Davis described the process as being oriented to help prevent future incidents and that his family is partnering with professors at the University of Colorado at Boulder to prepare a report. He noted that the report should be available in December and stated that he would like to present its findings to the committee prior to the beginning of the 2016 legislative session.

John McDonald introduced himself as the executive director of security for the Jefferson County school district. He reviewed school safety incidents since 1999 and suggested that the committee hear from threat assessment experts in future meetings.

Wendy and Patricia Werner introduced themselves and offered testimony concerning the effects of teen sleep deprivation via a report they prepared (Attachment F).

15SchoolSafety0909AttachF.pdf15SchoolSafety0909AttachF.pdf

John Simmons introduced himself as a representative of School Safety Partners and distributed a handout (Attachment G) concerning ways to address other types of youth in crisis, such as a youth who attempts to do a suicide bombing. According to Mr. Simmons, it is important to develop strategies for countering messages that kids may receive from certain groups and how to identify early warning signs, especially through social media.

15SchoolSafety0909AttachG.pdf15SchoolSafety0909AttachG.pdf

04:38 PM

Senator Scheffel offered closing remarks. Legislative Council Staff reminded committee members to submit ideas for presentations by youth at the next meeting.


04:40 PM

 The meeting adjourned.