McKee directs review of state school safety and student mental health support

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee is directing members of his cabinet to review their departments’ roles in combating factors that could lead to violence at schools.

McKee authorized Post-Secondary Commissioner Shannon Gilkey and Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green to review all school safety and security plans throughout the state.

In addition to increasing police presence at schools, McKee is also working with the state’s Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals on bolstering mental health support for all schools.

In statement, McKee said:

The schools are not only being impacted in on the higher education in Providence and also the K through 12, but I also have heard and have been in contact with our commissioner of Higher Education Shannon Gilkey along with our commissioner of K through 12, Angélica InfanteGreen, to make sure that we are reassessing all safety issues in all our schools in the state of Rhode Island and more to come on that. The issues that have to do with mental health coordinating around the state through our higher ed and through our K through 12.