SC Gov. McMaster to hold school-safety summit in wake of Florida shooting

S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster will lead a school-safety summit Thursday, just two weeks after 17 students and faculty were killed at a Florida high school.

The public forum, slated for 2 to 5 p.m. at the University of South Carolina's My Carolina Alumni Center, will include state Schools Superintendent Molly Spearman and Mark Keel, chief of the State Law Enforcement Division.

Since the Valentine’s Day massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., law enforcement and school officials have grappled with various proposals to keep school students safe, ranging from arming teachers to installing metal detectors.

Also, in 2016, 6-year-old Jacob Hall was mortally wounded by a gunman while at the Upstate’s Townville Elementary School.

"South Carolina schools and classrooms must be safe environments where learning, innovation and greatness can be achieved without fear, violence or distraction," McMaster said in a statement. "Educators must be provided the necessary training and resources to recognize and report people who demonstrate violent or unstable behavior."

In his 2018-'19 executive budget proposal, McMaster has recommended a $5 million pilot program to jump start putting a certified law enforcement officer in every S.C. school.

The Richland Republican also wants to fund fully the S.C. Department of Mental Health's request of $250,000 for its school-based services.

The state budget will be debated in the S.C. House next month.

This story was originally published February 27, 2018 at 6:06 PM with the headline "SC Gov. McMaster to hold school-safety summit in wake of Florida shooting."