Jindal creating a task force to assess school safety

Gov. Bobby Jindal is forming a 13-member study group to review safety standards at Louisiana schools and colleges in the aftermath of the mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school. Jindal issued an executive order today creating the group, which will be led by Col. Mike Edmonson, head of the Louisiana State Police, and Jimmy LeBlanc, secretary of the corrections department. The governor is asking the group to assess current safety programs at public and private schools from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as at colleges and universities around the state. According to the order, the task force will suggest improvements that can be made by state agencies and will recommend to lawmakers any statutory changes it thinks are necessary, in advance of the regular legislative session that begins in April. On Dec. 21, Louisiana House Speaker Chuck Kleckley, R-Lake Charles, asked U.S. Rep. John Schroder, Chairman of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, to convene a committee meeting early this year to review school safety laws in light of the recent school shooting in Newton, Conn.