DE safety commission says school violence originates at home

A special committee in Delaware aimed at coming up with strategies to curb the state’s school violence problems held their first meeting Wednesday.

Officials say the need for the committee was realized after the  the killings of 16-year-old Amy Inita Joyner Francis and 15-year-old Brandon Wingo earlier this year. 

Some of the suggestions during the meeting included replacing funding for school resources officers and counselors that was taken away during the recession. 

According to one participant the group also came to a consensus on where school violence originates.

“All said the same thing, which is the problems which are manifesting themselves in the school environment are brought there from home,” said Dick Carter, director of special projects for the senate majority caucus.

State officials say they want to hear from students, parents and classroom teachers, so they will hold informal information-gathering sessions Monday a the North End Riverfront Market in Wilmington for 10 to 11:30 a.m. and then four to six p.m.

Then again next Thursday at legislative hall in the second floor senate hearing room at the same times.