Despite continued acts of violence in schools, record-breaking instances of gun violence, and an increase cyberattacks, the Trump administration has disbanded the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse External Advisory Board. Ironically, during President Donald Trump’s first administration an interagency effort established the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse, a public website that offers a wide range of school safety resources and recommendations for schools and school districts. The clearinghouse was established after the 2018 mass school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Two years later, the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) was passed in response to another mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Subsequently, the passage of the BSCA led to the creation of the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse External Advisory Board.
Members of the federal school safety board received notice of its disbanding via a January 20, 2025 memo from Benjamine Huffman, acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The board members were invited by DHS to re-apply in the future.
Ronn Nozoe, CEO of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), who was appointed as the board’s first chair, said he plans to apply to rejoin the board. In total, the 26 former board members ranged from school safety experts and education leaders who were tasked with formulating advice and recommendations to improve K-12 school safety and security.
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