Local Event Highlights Ongoing Efforts to Keep Schools Safe

Contact: Cameron Daniel, School Resource Officer, Pitkin County Sheriff's Office, cameron.daniel@pitkinsheriff.com

Pitkin County, CO (June 2, 2025) — The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office and the Aspen School District are proud to host a school safety seminar on Friday, June 13, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Aspen District Theater, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Bernard James, one of the nation’s foremost experts on school safety law.

The event, open to the public, will provide local educators, law enforcement, and policymakers with state-specific insights into the legal frameworks, responsibilities, and best practices that underpin safe school environments.

Dr. James, a professor at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law, brings four decades of research and experience advising school districts and government agencies across the country. His presentation will address key topics including student rights, restorative justice, liability issues, and the evolving role of school resource officers.

Expect to Learn:

• Key Legal Frameworks for School Safety: Understand the federal and state laws, such as FERPA, that shape school safety policies and their implications for educators and administrators.
• Restorative Justice in Schools: Explore how restorative justice policies impact school discipline, emphasizing minimal sanctions and the legal risks of "excessive tolerance" in maintaining safe learning environments.
• First Amendment and Student Rights: Gain insights into how First Amendment rights apply to off-campus speech and campus policies, with practical guidance for balancing free speech and school safety.
• Liability and Educator Responsibilities: Learn about criminal and civil liability risks for educators who fail to protect students, including case law examples and best practices for compliance.
• Handling Unauthorized Campus Visitors: Understand legal and policy approaches to managing "auditors" filming on campus, including case law and strategies to secure a safe learning environment.
• School Resource Officers (SROs) and Student Interactions: Discover the legal boundaries for SROs regarding student rights, excessive force, and effective collaboration with school staff.
• Emerging Trends in Education Law: Stay updated on recent court decisions and policy reforms affecting school safety, bullying, and student privacy, with state-specific applications

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Dr. James to Aspen,” said Deputy Cameron Daniel, School Resource Officer. “His expertise is unmatched, and this event reflects our community’s ongoing commitment to keeping our schools safe, informed, and prepared.”

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The event is a part of a broader ongoing effort by law enforcement and Roaring Fork Valley school districts to keep our schools safe through collaboration, education, and legal preparedness.

Registration is available at the following link. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.