Fri Dec 19 03:10:00 UTC 2025: Summary:

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee is taking action to improve school safety in response to concerns about violence. He has directed cabinet members to review their departments’ roles in addressing factors that contribute to school violence. He’s also tasked the Education and Post-Secondary Education Commissioners with reassessing safety and security plans across the state. The plan includes increasing police presence and bolstering mental health support in schools through the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals.

News Article:

Rhode Island Governor Orders Review of School Safety Amid Violence Concerns

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Governor Dan McKee has initiated a statewide review of school safety and security measures, directing his cabinet to examine their departments’ roles in preventing violence in schools.

The move comes amid growing concerns about school safety nationwide. McKee has charged Post-Secondary Commissioner Shannon Gilkey and Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green with leading the assessment of all school safety and security plans throughout Rhode Island.

“The schools are not only being impacted in on the higher education in Providence and also the K through 12, but I also have heard and have been in contact with our commissioner of Higher Education Shannon Gilkey along with our commissioner of K through 12, Angélica InfanteGreen, to make sure that we are reassessing all safety issues in all our schools in the state of Rhode Island and more to come on that. The issues that have to do with mental health coordinating around the state through our higher ed and through our K through 12,” McKee said in a statement.

In addition to reviewing physical security, the initiative will focus on addressing underlying factors that contribute to violence. The governor is working with the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals to expand mental health resources and support for students in all schools. Details of the plan include increased police presence and mental health provisions. Further details on the governor’s school safety plan are expected to be released soon.

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