CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A West Virginia Department of Homeland Security official is working on a report related to school safety and a “best practices plan” regarding possible procedures to prevent shootings.
Deputy Secretary Rob Cunningham detailed his efforts before members of the House of Delegates on Tuesday. Cunningham’s comments were part of a general session on school safety, in which officials with the state Department of Education and the School Building Authority also discussed safety efforts. The general session happened on the West Virginia Legislature’s final day of interim meetings.
According to Cunningham, the Governor’s Office and Homeland Security Secretary Jeff Sandy contacted him about compiling information related to school safety on May 24, two days after a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Cunningham — a Putnam County Board of Education member and experienced law enforcement member — told lawmakers he contacted “about 25 different agencies” involved in public safety and responses to shootings. He noted additional research regarding school shootings, in which he mentioned the 1999 Columbine High School shooting and the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
“I’m getting great input,” he said.
Cunningham said the state meets requirements regarding school safety, but he wants to exceed requirements. He additionally noted officials have to balance ensuring student safety and creating a productive learning environment.
“We can’t fortify our schools to the point that they’re all like Mt. Olive [Correctional Complex] because that’s not conducive to providing a quality education for our children,” he stated.
Cunningham said part of the solution must involve early detection. He pitched the development of an app to allow students to submit cases; local law enforcement and the West Virginia Fusion Center would receive the reports.
“I have three children. Two of them are still in public schools. They communicate via text and Snapchat, for heaven’s sakes. They don’t pick up the telephone to call people. They don’t have face-to-face communication,” he said. “If we want them to be involved in making sure their school’s safe, we need to have an avenue for them to be able to report the information without it being cumbersome or being an issue that they don’t feel comfortable using.”
Cunningham also noted the public could use the app, contending people should contact authorities if an individual’s behavior may result in endangering students.
“The number one thing I have seen so far that has led to these mass shootings has been human complacency, so we have got to address that,” he said.
Delegate Rolland Jennings, R-Preston, raised concerns about the possible misuse of the proposed app.
“I don’t want the brownshirts to start in this country where kids are reporting on other kids on other kids,” Jennings said, referencing the early militia of Germany’s Nazi Party. “I just wonder if you thought this through to where that can’t happen.”
Cunningham compared a false report through the app to a dishonest 911 call.
Delegate Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, stated support for developing an app but noted the proposed idea likely needs further development.
“I don’t think we need to have a knee-jerk reaction, but I think all of us in this body would agree we have to do something,” he said. “We’re doing some measures to look at resource officers, which is good, and the construction of our buildings.”
Hornbuckle asked Jonah Adkins — the coordinator with the West Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Accountability — about underlying issues leading to shootings. Adkins told legislators that federal agencies have published research on the similarities between massacres.
Tuesday’s general session happened as federal lawmakers prepare legislative text on a proposal addressing gun violence. U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and 19 other senators have released a framework that includes resources so states can implement “red flag” laws in addition to increased investments in mental health services and school safety programs.