In 2023, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) convened a School Safety Enhancement Committee with the goal of producing actionable recommendations on the ways that schools and all those within the school-supporting ecosystem can ensure our public schools are safe for children and youth.

The School Safety Enhancement Committee is comprised of representatives and experts from city education and public safety agencies, the Council of the District of Columbia, and school communities and families. This group convened between November 2023 and January 2024, delivering a final report, Strengthening School Safety in Washington, DC, to the Mayor and Council in March 2024. 

• Fifth Meeting of the School Safety Enhancement Committee (Tuesday, January 30, 2024)
  • Recording of virtual meeting | Presentation | Recommendation Feedback Form
• Fourth Meeting of the School Safety Enhancement Committee (Tuesday, January 9, 2024)
  • Recording of virtual meeting | Presentation
• Third Meeting of the School Safety Enhancement Committee (Tuesday, December 19, 2023)
  • Recording of virtual meeting | Presentation
• Second Meeting of the School Safety Enhancement Committee (Tuesday, November 28, 2023)
  • Recording of virtual meeting | Presentation
• First Meeting of the School Safety Enhancement Committee (Tuesday, November 7, 2023)
  • Recording of virtual meeting | Presentation

Community Input

The work of the School Safety Enhancement Committee was informed in part by the convening of a youth committee, interviews with school leaders, student focus groups, expert panels, a community stakeholder panel, as well as biweekly online office hours and online feedback submissions.