When Bucks County state Sen. Jarrett Coleman heard about a school district where someone brought a knife into a school, and that information was kept from the parents, he knew he had to act.
On Tuesday, Coleman’s bill, SB 246, to increase requirements for school transparency for parents passed the Senate in an overwhelming 45-4 vote.
Under current law, school districts are not required to inform parents or guardians about incidents when a weapon is brought onto school grounds or related activities. In fact, Coleman notes, districts are only required to report to the Department of Education incidents “relating to expulsions for possession of a weapon on school grounds, school-sponsored activities or public conveyances providing transportation to a school or school-sponsored activity.”
“Parents in a district I represent only found out about a knife being brought to school because one of the parents read a police report about it,” Coleman said. “One of my constituents called for increased transparency following that egregious occurrence. There is broad agreement from both Republicans and Democrats that schools need to inform parents or guardians and staff about situations that impact the safety of children.”
SB 246 says schools must notify parents within 24 hours of an incident involving the possession of a weapon on school property. Teachers, administrators and other employees where the weapons were found must also be notified.
The bill also requires schools to inform parents about harassment and bullying.
“There should be a much higher level of transparency around weapons brought to schools, harassment and destruction of school property. Schools must be forthcoming when dangerous incidents take place,” Coleman said.
Philadelphia Democratic Sen. Christine Tartaglione said co-sponsoring the bill was “an easy and common-sense decision.”
“Families deserve transparency. If a weapon is found in a school, every parent, guardian, and staff member has a right to know. This bill is about trust, safety, and clear communication. It’s about giving people peace of mind and making sure schools stay accountable,” Tartaglione said.
Parents who spoke to DVJournal said trust between public schools and the parents they are supposed to serve has been broken, and legislation like this could help.
“Schools should absolutely be transparent with parents when a weapon is brought to school. Ever since the unnecessary COVID lockdowns, parents have lost trust in schools,” said Chalfont mother Jamie Walker.
Upper Darby dad Jeff Jones agrees.
“I think it’s important for there to be clear and candid communication between educators and parents,” Jones said. “As a parent, I have tried to partner with my kids’ teacher to get the best from my kids and support a productive class environment. This bill allows me to be aware of what is happening in my kids’ lives for those teachable moments that is a parent’s responsibility to build and encourage character, integrity, bravery, trustworthiness, responsibility, compassion and grace in my children.”
The bill received strong bipartisan support in the Senate in the previous legislative session. It now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
