La. lawmaker invites suggestions on school safety

A state lawmaker who heads the House homeland security committee is seeking ideas from educators and parents about ways to improve school safety. Rep. John Schroder, R-Covington, has set up a special email address to receive public comments on the issue. He’s asking people to send their ideas to schoolsafetycomments@legis.la.gov. Schroder’s committee held an earlier hearing to get suggestions from state education leaders and law enforcement officials about how to strengthen school security. The review is prompted by the mass shooting in December at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school, where a gunman killed 20 children and six adults. In addition to the state House review of school safety preparations, Gov. Bobby Jindal formed a 13-member study group to look at the issue and offer ideas in advance of the regular legislative session. The East Baton Rouge Parish School System is also in the process of hosting a series of meetings with students’ parents and guardians to solicit input on improving school safety.