By Joseph Edelen

DOVER — Dueling resolutions to address school behavior concerns sparked an intense debate between Senate lawmakers Tuesday.

And, while the competing proposals led by Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Camden, and Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, address school climate issues at their core, the dispute centered on the process leading up to their consideration.

Both measures — Sen. Buckson’s Senate Concurrent Resolution 117 and Sen. Townsend’s Senate Concurrent Resolution 119 — would establish a task force to study how disruptive behavior can impact students and educators, and to develop recommendations on how to handle such concerns.

Sen. Buckson had intended to introduce his version Thursday, after five months of crafting the legislation, including collaboration between stakeholders and members of the public.

He also worked with Rep. Kim Williams, D-Newport, and Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Woodbrook, the chairs of their chambers’ education committees. Plus, Sen. Buckson noted, he agreed to many changes made by Senate Democrats throughout that process.

There were core changes requested by Democratic leadership that Sen. Buckson was not willing to make, though, such as removing the minority leader’s ability to select the lawmaker to represent Republicans on the task force; removing the word “discipline” from the committee’s title; and allowing members of the group to select its chairs.

And, Sen. Buckson said, about an hour or so prior to Tuesday’s session, Sen. Townsend requested a meeting to discuss those changes.

That meeting, he continued, was not a discussion but a “demand,” as well as an act of “political strong-arming.”

Sen. Townsend said attempts to compromise on these aspects of the legislation were unsuccessful, so he introduced SCR 119 ahead of Sen. Buckson’s planned introduction of SCR 117 on Thursday.

“This is a bright example of what’s wrong with this place, and I mean that sincerely. Instead of helping our kids, we worry about who gets credit or who’s in control, and it’s a disservice to those who put us in the seats we occupy on their behalf, and we should expect more from us, but I guess not,” Sen. Buckson said after the introduction of SCR 119 on Tuesday.

“I will not be voting on this resolution because I don’t agree to the terms. I’m not going to play this game.”

In response, Sen. Townsend pushed back on claims surrounding the word “discipline,” noting that it is included in his version, as well.

He also stated that clauses regarding the minority party’s authority in the makeup of the task force, as well as the ability for committee membership to select their own chairs, are “exceptionally rare” and that he did not feel it is the best practice.

The majority leader also referenced the framing of school behavior and climate concerns “outside of the legislative process,” such as an intention “to make sure that we segregate the kids who are causing behavior issues away from the general student population.”

That was in reference to recently filed House Bill 22, or the School Personnel Protection Act, which would classify intentional physical harm to educational staff as assault in the second degree.

Also, with the establishment of the task force pending, Sen. Townsend called SCR 117 “quintessential shoot first, aim second” and said Sen. Buckson’s role as a lead sponsor is of “great concern.”

“This is moving quickly, yes, but it’s with fidelity to other frameworks that have been in place — the tried and true — that have shown bipartisan progress on many issues, and I’m not going to stand and agree whatsoever with the idea this is partisan, or this is a majority party who is somehow trying to exert control inappropriately,” Sen. Townsend said.

Passing such a resolution is “on a quick timetable,” he continued, adding that his hope was for it to pass the House of Representatives on Thursday, so the task force could get to work, and recommendations can be ready for the 2024-25 year.

Following those comments, Sen. Buckson reiterated that he was asked to remove the word “discipline” but resisted because he did not “want to dance around” the issue.

He also fiercely pushed back on the use of the word “segregate,” noting that a very small percentage of students is responsible for causing disruption in schools.

Regarding the process, Sen. Buckson alluded to his unease with Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola, D-Newark, and Sen. Townsend, stating that the chamber’s Democrats “are challenged because of the two up front.”

“I think you can stand up to folks, and you can think for yourself, and this bill that I have coming up is better. It has more spots for educators in our classroom and people that are connected away from the bureaucracies. That’s why it’s better,” he said.

Prior to a roll call on SCR 119, Sen. Townsend repeated its importance, as evidenced by the worries of various communities, and noted that that’s why lawmakers decided to move forward with his version.

“I do appreciate the idea of working together. Those efforts were made by multiple senators on this side. … I’m upset that … offers are put forward, and they’re declined,” he said. “That’s the way it is. It’s OK. But (SCR 119) represents the way that framework should go and almost universally always has gone.”

Ultimately, SCR 119 passed, with 14 voting yes, three voting no and three not voting.

Following that passage, Sen. Buckson brought forth SCR 117, which, after further discussion, was defeated by a vote of six yes and 14 not voting.

SCR 119 now heads to the full House for final approval, and, while Sen. Townsend had hoped it would pass that chamber Thursday, it was not considered.

Staff writer Joseph Edelen
can be reached at jedelen@iniusa.org.
Follow @JoeEdelenDSN on X.