Legislation allows for local flexibility in school fire drills

Legislation chief-authored by Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake) to increase school safety in Minnesota passed the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on a bipartisan vote. The legislation was an idea from Jordan Public Schools Superintendent Matthew Helgerson while discussing school safety with Senator Pratt. The bill allows public and private schools, in coordination with their local fire and police officials, to modify their policy so that one of the five drills required yearly can be a nonevacuation drill.

“There has not been a school fire death in over sixty years.” said Senator Pratt. “So, it’s time that we modernize our procedures to ensure students remain safe from all threats.”

After passing the Senate Public Safety Committee, the bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

“I want to thank Superintendent Helgerson for bringing this innovative idea forward,” added Senator Pratt. “The best school safety ideas come from those who are closest to the classroom. Because of this bill, Minnesota students will be safer.”