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Schools that experience a high number of crimes would have to hire police officers and station them in their buildings under a Republican-authored bill the state Assembly passed Tuesday.
Under the bill, if a school has more than 100 incidents in a semester, and at least 25 of those result in an arrest, the school must hire an armed school resource officer to work at the school.
The cost of hiring the officer would be partially reimbursed by the state using federal COVID-19 relief money. The state education department said it could not calculate how many schools may qualify.
WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY SET TO VOTE ON REPUBLICAN-BACKED MEASURE TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS WITH CRIME TO HIRE POLICE
The measure comes after the state’s two largest districts in Milwaukee and Madison voted in 2020 to remove school resource officers.
The only registered supporter of the measure was the Milwaukee Police Association. Opponents included Milwaukee Public Schools, Disability Rights Wisconsin and the Wisconsin School Social Workers Association. The Wisconsin Association of School Boards also raised concerns.
Democrats criticized the bill as a Republican attack on Madison and Milwaukee schools.
Rep. LaKeisha Myers of Milwaukee said her school board should be allowed to set its own rules and accused Republicans of “wrapping yourself in fear.” Rep. Francesca Hong of Madison said increasing violence in schools is a result of Republicans choosing to underfund public education.
The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly has passed a bill mandating police presence at all schools with high crime rates.
Republicans called the bill a common-sense first step toward reducing violence in schools.
“It’s clear the status quo can’t continue,” aid Rep. Nik Rettinger, the bill’s chief Assembly sponsor. “I worry that if we stay on the current path, more students and faculty will be attacked.”
The Assembly ultimately approved the bill on a 59-36 vote.
GOP-CONTROLLED WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY WILL VOTE ON BILL TO PREVENT BAN…
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