District 4 candidate Anzalone announces 10-point school safety plan

Congressional Candidate John Anzalone, an 18-year educator, high school principal, husband and father of three young children, released his “Nevada Cares” plan, a 10-point blueprint for school safety Thursday, May 24 at the Clark County Education Association in Las Vegas.

“There have been 22 school shootings in the United States during the first five months of 2018. Students, parents and entire communities are looking to educators and elected officials to protect our children now,” Anzalone says.

John Anzalone

As a principal, John understands the potential threats that exist within our schools and knows that we cannot wait any longer to protect our children. “No child should have to worry whether he or she will safely walk out of school at the end of the day. No child should have to worry that one of their classmates is about to pull out a gun and harm his classmates,” Anzalone said. “Not one of our children should be forced to wonder: ‘Do the adults really care about me? And if they do, why do they let this continue?’”

The plan would be paid for through federal legislation. The measure would serve as a model for a nationwide school safety initiative that Anzalone would introduce as a member of Congress.

Key components of Nevada Cares are:

1. Infrastructure. Harden security of all Nevada schools, discreetly and respectfully, using Title IV Federal funds
2. Mental Health. Add one social worker to all Nevada elementary and middle schools, while maintaining 1-2 social workers in all Nevada high schools (based on student population and need) – Title II Federal funds. Mandatory clearance to return to school provided by a mental health professional for any student displaying threatening behavior on or off campus, prior to returning to school
3. Armed Officers not Teachers. Use increased Title IV funding to hire at least 1 armed/trained resource officer at each elementary/middle school (2 for each Nevada high school).
4. Safety Teams. Mandatory safety walks (1 per quarter) including resource officer, school principal, parent leader, student leader, School Associate Superintendent, and security personnel to complete checklist, place work orders, complete repairs to doors/latches, non-secure areas, etc.
5. Consequences. Increased consequences for students engaging in violent behavior on or off campus, including permanent expulsion (online learning provided by school district).

For a copy of the blueprint or individual interview requests, please contact (702) 510-4420.