Julio 21, 2022
McKeesport, Julio 21,2022 – State Sen. Jim Brewster’s efforts to protect Pennsylvania schools have paid off with a $200 million increase in funds for safety and security and mental health in the 2022-23 PA State Budget.
“This new School Code contains a historic financial commitment to school safety as well as focused regulation to make sure every school achieves baseline requirements,” Brewster said.
Since its 2018 creation, Brewster has been a member of Pennsylvania’s School Safety and Security Committee facilitated by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, and an advocate for hardening schools while at the same time addressing core causes by making mental health assessment more prevalent and counseling more available.
In 2019 Brewster sent a letter to the committee asking it to establish baseline standards of safety for every school in the Commonwealth. Specifically, he encouraged the committee members to establish physical baselines, including items such as door locks and cameras; mental health baselines, including school counselors and psychologists; and environmental baselines, including air quality monitors as well as lead and mold abatement.
The latest School Code changes the requirement for active shooter training from every 5 years to yearly training, an important piece of school safety.
“Everyone in the building should be trained on how to protect themselves in the event of an active shooter,” Brewster said. “This updated requirement in the School Code is a necessary improvement to keep our schools safe.”
After years of partnership and hard work by the School Safety and Security Committee, the PCCD, the General Assembly, and the Governor, the recently passed state budget contains historic new investments of $100 million for school safety infrastructure and another $100 million for school mental health grants.
The money, Brewster said, is only part of the progress. Pennsylvania’s School Code now requires the schools to conduct surveys to see if standards for mental health services are being evaluated and baselines are being met. This survey must be completed by Agosto 31.
Just as important, the new School Code provides incentives for training new school mental health counselors through a School-Based Mental Health Internship Grant Program through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). The program is intended to encourage careers as school counselors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers.
PHEAA will be required to keep track of grant applicants and awardees to assess the effort of bringing more mental health professionals to careers in schools.
11 de julio de 2022
Harrisburg, 11 de julio de 2022 - Con una inversión estatal récord en gastos de prevención de la violencia en el nuevo presupuesto, el senador estatal Jim Brewster anunció hoy que ha sido nombrado de nuevo miembro del Comité de Seguridad Escolar, el principal conducto para los programas de intervención en el estado.
"Nos encontramos en un momento crítico para la seguridad pública tras el aumento de la violencia que acompañó a la pandemia", declaró Brewster. "El Comité de Seguridad Escolar ha desempeñado un papel central en la revisión y evaluación de los esfuerzos de intervención y prevención y en la orientación de los fondos estatales hacia donde pueden ser más eficaces".
El comité de 17 miembros fue creado mediante la Ley 44 de 2018 con el objetivo de elaborar políticas y proporcionar subvenciones para frenar la violencia escolar y comunitaria. El comité trabaja bajo los auspicios de la Comisión de Delincuencia y Crimen de Pensilvania (PCCD).
En julio de 2019, el senador Brewster envió una carta al comité pidiéndoles que establecieran estándares de referencia de seguridad para cada escuela en la Commonwealth para mantener seguros a los estudiantes, maestros y administradores. Específicamente, les pidió que establecieran líneas de base físicas, incluidos elementos como cerraduras de puertas y cámaras; líneas de base de salud mental, incluidos consejeros escolares y psicólogos; y líneas de base ambientales, incluidos monitores de calidad del aire y reducción de plomo / moho.
"Durante mi tiempo en el Comité de Seguridad Escolar, he estado abogando por el establecimiento de criterios de referencia para asegurar que estamos utilizando mejor el dinero", dijo Brewster. "Estoy encantado de ver que por primera vez los fondos se priorizarán para que todas las escuelas lleguen a la línea de base".
El año pasado, el Estado destinó la cifra récord de 30 millones de dólares a la seguridad escolar, y el presupuesto estatal de este año más que triplica esa cantidad, hasta 105 millones de dólares, con la ayuda de los fondos del Plan de Rescate de Estados Unidos.
"Para reducir la violencia en la comunidad, tenemos que abordar las causas fundamentales", dijo Brewster. "La pobreza, la salud mental y la adicción son graves motores de la delincuencia en nuestras comunidades, y esta comisión está invirtiendo fondos adicionales para hacer frente a estos problemas."
A la hora de conceder subvenciones el año pasado, Brewster dijo que el comité adoptó un enfoque amplio ante lo que percibía como un problema complejo con un amplio abanico de causas. El comité financió los esfuerzos de grandes instituciones académicas que estudian el problema desde el punto de vista de los datos, así como pequeñas iniciativas de base con presupuestos de miles de personas y los pies en la calle.
Como senador, Brewster ha estado en primera línea en cuestiones de seguridad escolar. Su nombramiento fue realizado por el líder demócrata del Senado, Jay Costa.
26 de febrero de 2020
Harrisburg - 26 de febrero de 2020 - El senador estatal Jim Brewster dijo hoy que pronto se distribuirán 1,7 millones de dólares en subvenciones estatales para la seguridad escolar a las escuelas locales.
Brewster, que representa a parte de los condados de Allegheny y Westmoreland, es miembro del Comité de Seguridad Escolar. Ha sido el principal defensor de la Asamblea General para abordar las cuestiones de seguridad escolar. Los fondos fueron aprobados por el comité en su reunión de hoy.
"Estas subvenciones son herramientas fundamentales que pueden utilizarse para proteger a estudiantes, profesores, administradores y visitantes de las instalaciones escolares", declaró Brewster. "Como miembro del comité que aprueba estas subvenciones, soy muy consciente de las necesidades de las escuelas de la zona y me comprometo a ayudar a mejorar la seguridad".
Brewster dijo que seguiría trabajando para ajustar los criterios de las subvenciones competitivas de modo que más distritos escolares puedan acceder a la máxima financiación.
Los siguientes distritos escolares de la zona de Brewster recibirán subvenciones escolares competitivas y meritorias:
Condado de Allegheny:
- Distrito escolar de Baldwin-Whitehall 45.000 dólares
- Distrito escolar de Brentwood 35.000 dólares
- Distrito escolar de Clairton 30.000
- Distrito escolar de Duquesne 30.000 dólares
- Distrito escolar de East Allegheny 481.508 dólares
- Distrito escolar de Elizabeth Forward 40.000 dólares
- Distrito escolar de Gateway 40.000 dólares
- Distrito escolar del área de McKeesport 45.000 dólares
- Distrito escolar de Plum Borough 40.000 dólares
- Distrito escolar de South Allegheny 455.000 dólares
- Distrito escolar de West Allegheny 40.000 dólares
- Distrito escolar del área de West Mifflin 40.000 dólares
Condado de Westmoreland:
- Distrito escolar de Burrell 35.000 dólares
- Distrito escolar del área de Kiski 40.000 dólares
- Distrito escolar New Kensington-Arnold 35.000 dólares
- Distrito escolar de Penn-Trafford 45.000 dólares
- Westmoreland IU7 $239,000
Brewster ha sido un firme defensor de la mejora de la seguridad en los centros escolares. Ha patrocinado un paquete de proyectos de ley para mejorar la seguridad en las escuelas. La legislación incluye: la creación de una comisión de seguridad escolar, la exigencia de mejoras de la seguridad escolar como parte de los proyectos aprobados de construcción y rehabilitación de escuelas, y guardias armados en los edificios escolares.
Además, el pasado mes de agosto el comité de seguridad escolar aprobó la petición de Brewster de crear un subcomité para estudiar la elaboración de normas básicas de seguridad que pudieran aplicarse universalmente a todos los distritos escolares.
"Debemos seguir proporcionando fondos de subvención para pagar las mejoras de seguridad en las escuelas", dijo Brewster. "Nuestros hijos merecen un entorno seguro y propicio para la educación".
El Comité de Seguridad y Protección Escolar se creó en 2018. Las subvenciones se administran a través de la Comisión de Delincuencia y Crimen de Pensilvania.
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Agosto 29, 2019
Harrisburg – Aug. 29, 2019 – The statewide School Safety and Security Committee has endorsed state Sen. Jim Brewster’s (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) plan to create a subcommittee to explore the development of baseline safety and security standards applicable to all schools.
“To ensure the safety and security of our students and all who go into public schools, it is critical that schools’ baseline safety standards be in place,” Brewster said. “A detailed safety and security plan with a focus on a school’s physical plan, accessibility to mental health services and environmental protections is necessary.”
Recommendations produced by the subcommittee will be sent to the full School Safety and Security Committee for approval, Brewster said.
Earlier this year, Brewster sent a letter to the members of the School Safety and Security Committee asking that they consider his proposal. Brewster, who serves on the committee, has sponsored Senate Bill 788, which would create baseline standards by statute.
Brewster said he asked the committee to act on his idea to expedite work on developing the standards.
“All school districts should have state resources available to adhere to easily understandable and clear baseline standards regarding the physical structure of schools, access to mental health professionals for counseling, and protection from environmental problems such as lead, mold and other health threats,” Brewster said. “Our efforts are centered on protecting students, teachers, administrators and parents who are in our school buildings and on campus.”
The McKeesport lawmaker said the state budget has included $60 million installments for each of the last two years for school safety. This funding can be applied to helping school districts comply with baseline requirements developed by the subcommittee, he said.
The School Safety and Security Committee was established by statute in 2018 and is administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Brewster said he is grateful that the committee acted on his request and pleased that it made his proposal a priority.
1 de noviembre de 2018
McKeesport - 30 de octubre de 2018 - El senador Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny / Westmoreland) anunció hoy que se otorgaron $ 450,000 en subvenciones de Seguridad y Seguridad Escolar a varios distritos escolares en los condados de Allegheny y Westmoreland. La financiación de la subvención fue autorizada por el Comité de Seguridad y Protección Escolar dentro de la Comisión de Delincuencia y Crimen de Pensilvania.
"Una de las principales prioridades del Comité de Seguridad Escolar era hacer llegar rápidamente los recursos a las escuelas", declaró Brewster. "Los distritos pueden utilizar los fondos para ayudar a proteger a los estudiantes y hacer que nuestros edificios escolares sean más seguros".
Brewster es miembro del Comité de Seguridad Escolar. Fue nombrado a principios de este año.
Entre los distritos escolares locales que han recibido la subvención de 25.000 dólares figuran:
- Distrito escolar Baldwin-Whitehall (condado de Allegheny)
- Distrito escolar de Brentwood Borough (condado de Allegheny)
- Distrito escolar de la ciudad de Clairton (condado de Allegheny)
- Distrito escolar de la ciudad de Duquesne (condado de Allegheny)
- Distrito escolar de East Allegheny (condado de Allegheny)
- Distrito escolar de Elizabeth Forward (condado de Allegheny)
- Distrito escolar Gateway (condado de Allegheny)
- Distrito escolar del área de McKeesport (condado de Allegheny)
- Distrito escolar de Plum Borough (condado de Allegheny)
- Distrito escolar de South Allegheny (condado de Allegheny)
- Distrito escolar del área de West Mifflin (condado de Allegheny)
- Distrito escolar de Woodland Hills (condado de Allegheny)
- Distrito escolar de West Jefferson (condado de Allegheny)
- Distrito escolar de Burrell (Condado de Westmoreland)
- Distrito escolar del área de Kiski (condado de Westmoreland)
- Distrito escolar New Kensington-Arnold (Condado de Westmoreland)
- Distrito escolar del área de Leechburg (condado de Westmoreland)
- Distrito escolar del área de Penn-Trafford (condado de Westmoreland)
El gobernador Tom Wolf firmó la Ley 44 en junio de 2018, que estableció el Comité de Seguridad Escolar. El comité se encargó de desarrollar criterios para las evaluaciones de seguridad y protección de las escuelas junto con encuestas de emisiones para medir su seguridad y preparación de seguridad. También administra subvenciones a las escuelas para mejorar la seguridad y la protección.
Hubo un total de 52,5 millones de dólares asignados al Programa de Subvenciones de Seguridad y Protección Escolar para el año fiscal 2018-2019.
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Octubre 5, 2018
McKeesport – Octubre 4, 2018 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today announced a total of $154,000 in state grants to improve safety and security in local schools.
“This funding will help establish safety programs, hire additional security personnel and purchase security-related equipment,” Brewster said. “I’m pleased with this round of state support and will continue to seek additional dollars to make our schools safer and more secure.”
The statewide grants were announced today by the state Department of Education following a report issued by the recently-established Pennsylvania School Safety Task Force. Brewster was the first state lawmaker to call for such a statewide task force, which provides an encompassing review of school safety procedures and makes recommendations for improvements.
Local schools receiving funds today include:
- $20,000 for the McKeesport School District (violence prevention program);
- $30,000 Baldwin-Whitehall School District (hire/train school security officers);
- $30,000 Plum Borough School District (hire/train school security officers);
- $30,000 Elizabeth Forward School District (hire/train school security officers);
- $30,000 Allegheny Township (hire/train school security officers)
- $14,000 for the Westinghouse Arts Academy (equipment);
Brewster said another round of grant funds will be coming from the new $60 million School Safety and Security Grant program he supported in this year’s state fiscal budget. Those grants will be administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). The deadline for schools to apply for the PCCD grants is Oct. 12.
“Following the tragic school shooting in Florida last year, I am pleased to see that local schools are working to bolster school security and safety,” Brewster said. “It is imperative that we continue taking steps to provide a safe and positive learning environment for all students.”
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Marzo 28, 2018
Harrisburg – Marzo 27, 2018 – Hundreds of millions of dollars per year are committed to school construction and rehabilitation projects in Pennsylvania; and if Sen. Jim Brewster’s (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) new legislation is approved, there would be no state reimbursement for buildings that are not equipped with state-of-the-art school safety features.
“Given the tragic school shootings, we have to explore all ways of improving school safety and keeping our children safe,” Brewster said. “New or refurbished school buildings must be equipped with state-of-the-art safety features to prevent trespass, stop assailants and secure space for children.”
Brewster’s legislation would prohibit state reimbursement for any school building construction or rehabilitation through Pennsylvania’s “PlanCon” process unless baseline safety elements are included in the plans. PlanCon is the acronym for the state’s Planning and Construction Workbook where school districts are reimbursed for approved school construction projects.
Brewster said the installation of safety stops, emergency lights and panic buttons, impenetrable strong glass, secure access points and surveillance cameras should be part of a “school security blanket.”
“Specific baseline school safety features would be approved through a statewide school safety panel so that experts would have the opportunity to express their ideas about best practices,” Brewster said.
The western Pennsylvania lawmaker is sponsoring legislation to create an 11-member commission that would be responsible for recommending new policies and procedures to protect students. He said recommendations related to school building safety is a perfect example of why a statewide commission is necessary.
“School districts are working exceptionally hard to protect students, but new, sophisticated threats require a fresh approach to school building safety,” Brewster said. “Taxpayers, students, teachers and administrators should be confident that a school building is protected from external and internal threats.”
Brewster said his proposal is a commonsense idea that can be quickly and easily implemented. He expects to introduce the measure within the next several weeks.
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Marzo 9, 2018
McKeesport – Marzo 9, 2018 – In the wake of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, where 17 students died, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today proposed placing an armed security guard at all school buildings that conduct classroom instruction.
“It is clear to me that we need to have an armed security officer in each school building where classroom instruction is taking place,” Brewster said. “Students must be better protected.
“Parents deserve assurance that school buildings are safe and secure environments.”
Brewster said his plan to add armed security to each school building would be part of a menu of school safety ideas considered by his proposed statewide school security panel. Last week, Brewster called for the creation of the panel to examine school security ideas and present recommendations for safety upgrades.
“The recent accounts of horrific school shootings where students have been killed or wounded by armed assailants — should prompt action by lawmakers,” Brewster said. “A statewide school safety panel could evaluate a range of ideas and use proposals from experts on safety and security.
“There have a been many ideas offered about how we can improve school safety,” the McKeesport lawmaker said. “We need to be open-minded and willing to consider both conventional and non-conventional school safety proposals.”
Brewster said metal detectors, automatic emergency doorstops, police call buttons and other security ideas are excellent proposals that would help secure buildings from armed assailants. He added that armed security personnel would augment these safety initiatives.
Brewster’s legislation would create an 11-member Statewide School Safety Panel responsible for reviewing proposed changes to strategic plans, analyzing existing safety procedures and studying new ideas, technologies and strategies. The panel would make recommendations, policy suggestions and design plans to help school officials protect students.
“There should be an ongoing panel of experts who can recommend new policies and procedures we can use to protect children in school and on buses,” Brewster said. “We need to understand how schools are providing protection now and seek ideas about improving safety standards.
“The panel could stipulate specific training and requirements applicable to all school security officers and identify how the costs can be equitably apportioned between the state and school district,” he added. “Many schools have implemented security procedures and strategies that could be used by other schools to better protect students when there are threats.”
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Febrero 28, 2018
Harrisburg, Febrero 28, 2018 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today said he will introduce legislation that would establish a statewide school safety panel to review school and bus safety policies and procedures and help lawmakers implement standardized statewide safety procedures.
“Recent school tragedies and disturbing reports on security and background check lapses have exposed a disturbing vulnerability on the safety of our schools,” Brewster said. “Funding shortfalls and antiquated safety procedures are putting our children at risk. We must take steps to upgrade school safety and security.”
El senador Brewster presenta sus medidas de seguridad escolar en WPXI
To address the issue in a thorough and comprehensive way, Brewster said he would establish a 10-member statewide panel to offer diverse expertise, wide-ranging viewpoints and innovative ideas. Panel members would be comprised of law enforcement officials, educators, parents and legislators.
“Using the latest data and information, this panel would be called on to continually review proposed changes to the state’s strategic plan, analyze existing safety procedures, and study new ideas, technology and strategies to help lawmakers and education officials update statewide policies and procedures.”
In support of the panel’s efforts, Brewster said he will also call for a legislative committee to gather comprehensive data from statewide school districts, private schools and colleges to provide detailed data on school and bus safety procedures.
“This information would help form a basis by which the school safety panel, lawmakers and education officials can implement sound and substantive statewide safety procedures,” Brewster said.
The McKeesport lawmaker said there are many school safety bills in the pipeline and that it is important to gather all the information and ideas in a onetime effort to implement a strategic plan.
“Policymakers need factual and detailed information on existing procedures, problems and strategies before we can act on a comprehensive solution,” Brewster added. “We need all the facts so we can take what’s working and improve upon it.”
Brewster, who co-chairs the Legislative and Budget Finance Committee, said he will ask the committee chairman, Sen. Bob Mensch (R-Berks/Bucks/Montgomery), to have their committee conduct the comprehensive data collection – mandating that a report be completed and submitted to lawmakers no later than Dec 31.
He said the data can help assess the use, efficiency and success of various school safety measures such as armed guards, tip-lines, arming school personnel, surveillance cameras and other structural and technology enhancements. He said the data collection effort can assist and work conjunctively with efforts underway by education officials, lawmakers and other state officials.
“All options need to be on the table as we go about finding the best way to improve safety in schools and on buses,” Brewster said. “We also need to explore prospective financial resources that can support our efforts.”
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