Gov. Bob McDonnell Wednesday announced the membership of his newly-created Task Force of School and Campus Safety. The membership includes educators, public safety experts, local leaders, mental health practitioners, legislators, parents, and students.
The group will review school safety, including established policies and procedures, crisis and emergency management plans, threat assessment protocols, as well as share best practices and identify resource challenges. This task force will also provide legislative and budget proposals to the governor to address any critical gaps or needs associated with safety and security in our schools and on our campuses.
Speaking about the membership, McDonnell said, “I am thankful that this dedicated group of leaders and experts has agreed to work on the important issue of keeping our schools safe. As a Commonwealth, we must evaluate safety in our schools and ensure that we are providing our young people with the best opportunity to learn. I am confident this group will develop thoughtful recommendations that will ensure a safe learning environment for our students.”
On Monday, December 20, Governor McDonnell issued Executive Order 56 establishing a multidisciplinary task force to review school and campus safety in light of the horrific and senseless murders that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. He has also established a separate mental health workgroup chaired by Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Secretary of Health and Human Resources Dr. Bill Hazel. The task force will send initial recommendations no later than January 31, 2013. It will make additional recommendations on an ongoing basis and provide a final report on all aspects of the executive order to the governor no later than June 30, 2013, so that recommended actions can be implemented before the new school year begins.
The Task Force will hold its first meeting on January 14th, at 1:00 PM, in the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond.
Governor’s Task Force on School and Campus Safety
Co-Chairs
The Honorable Marla Decker, Secretary of Public Safety
The Honorable Laura Fornash, Secretary of Education
The Honorable Bill Hazel, M.D., Secretary of Health and Human Resources
Members
The Honorable Ken Cuccinelli, Attorney General of Virginia
The Honorable Joseph Yost, Virginia House of Delegates
The Honorable Margaret B. Ransone, Virginia House of Delegates
The Honorable Patrick Hope, Virginia House of Delegates
The Honorable Tom Garrett, Senate of Virginia
The Honorable Richard Stuart, Senate of Virginia
The Honorable George Barker, Senate of Virginia
Patricia Wright, Ed.D., Superintendent of Public Instruction
Donna Michaelis, Director of the Virginia Center for School Safety
Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Superintendant of the Virginia Department of State Police
Garth Wheeler, Director of the Department of Criminal Justice Services
Mark Gooch, Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice
Michael Cline, State Coordinator of the Department of Emergency Management
James W. Stewart, III, The Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
Maureen Dempsey, MD, FAAP, Acting State Health Commissioner
Peter Blake, Director of the State Council on Higher Education
Sarah Gross, PTA Legislative Liaison
Michelle Wescott, Nurse, Rena B. Wright Primary School; PTA Health and Safety Chair
Vincent Darby, Principal, G. H. Reid Elementary School, Richmond
Keith Perrigan, Principal, Patrick Henry High School, Washington; President, Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals
Dr. Deborah Pettit, Superintendent, Louisa County Schools
Dianne Smith, Member of Chesterfield School Board; Retired Principal
Leonard Steward, Lexington City School Board
Regina Blackwell Brown, Educational Specialist for School Counseling, Henrico County Public Schools
Meg Gruber, Teacher, Forest Park High School, Prince William; VEA President
Judi M. Lynch, Ph.D., Principal, Saint Gertrude High School
Dr. Sandy Ward, Director of the School Psychology program, College of William & Mary
Dewey Cornell, Professor of Education, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia; Director, Virginia Youth Violence Project
Charles J Klink, Assistant Vice Provost and Vice President for Student Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University
Sheriff Brian Hieatt, Tazewell County
Sheriff Mike Chapman, Loudoun County
Chief Jim Williams, Chief of Police, City of Staunton
Chief Don Challis, Chief of Police, College of William and Mary
Joel Branscom, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Botetourt County
Chief Steve Cover, Fire Chief, City of Virginia Beach
Edward “Bubby” Bish, Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads
Captain Steve Carey, Stafford County Sheriff’s Department (former School Resource Officer)
Gene Deisinger, Deputy Chief and Director of Threat Management, Virginia Tech
Charles Werner, Charlottesville Fire Chief (Member of Secure Commonwealth Panel)
Allen Hill, Father of Rachel Hill, Victim of Virginia Tech Shooting
Alexa Rennie, Student, James River High School
Jillian McGarrity, Student, Lynchburg College
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