(This is a press release.)

Today, Congressman Jefferson Van Drew announced that he is drafting the “Stronger Schools Act” which will ensure that our children are safe and protected while at school. The bill will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and the Attorney General to work in coordination to develop a program that trains and employs recently discharged veterans and retired law enforcement officers to become School Resource Officers (SRO) in order to better protect our children. This bill will also include a grant program that will help provide upgraded security to schools, such as a delayed entry system requiring visitors to be buzzed in by administrators.

This bill would not allow for any school to have unlocked doors for entry into the building, it would require at least one armed officer be on school grounds at all times, and would require that these SROs complete specialized training each year.

”Parents should never have to worry about the safety of their children after dropping them off at school,” said Congressman Van Drew. “Instead of Congress sending billions of taxpayer dollars to other countries and spending money on programs for illegal immigrants, it is time we direct our funding towards protecting our children and ensuring our schools are protected from the absolute worst of our society. My bill will ensure that our country’s children are guarded by well-trained and dedicated public servants; if politicians in our country can have armed security, then our students should as well.

“Heinous, unconscionable attacks on our children at school must come to an end. My bill will help employ our nation’s veterans, allow law enforcement officers to continue their dedicated public service, and allow parents to breathe easier knowing that our finest will be protecting their children. While mental health issues must be addressed in our country, this is a first step that both parties should be able to come together and pass in a bipartisan manner in order to protect our children.”