Sponsor Testimony on Senate Bill 168
Senate Education Committee
Chairwoman Lehner, Vice Chair Hite, and Ranking Member Sawyer, thank you for the
opportunity to provide proponent testimony this morning on Senate Bill 168. Senator LaRose’s
testimony clearly supports the need for this legislation. This is a crisis in our schools that has
disrupted far too many teachers’ and staff members’ lives. Many have been left with life-altering
physical and psychological injuries due to student assaults in our schools. I know firsthand how
this experience can significantly change one’s life. I am an example of the physical, emotional
and financial impact that student violence causes. It was not until after I was assaulted that I
realized there is no reporting for assaults in schools under the current Educational Management
Information System, (EMIS) procedures.
During the normal course of a day, as an assistant principal, within a few short minutes my life
was drastically changed by two students who were having a verbal argument. I was attacked and
brutally beaten by these students in front of approximately 300 students in the cafeteria. This
resulted in life-altering injuries that have had far-reaching effects on my family, friends, and
colleagues. From this violent act I had extensive cervical and rotator cuff surgeries. Because of
the spinal cord injury I am dealing with autonomic dysfunction which is a serious, lifethreatening spinal cord condition. This condition has left me with considerable heart, blood
pressure and other internal organ issues. I am also experiencing the effects of post-concussion
syndrome.
However, I refuse to allow this to diminish my passion to help students and staff. It is crucial
that you look beyond my personal challenges and focus on the impact that this critical issue has
had on our communities. It is important, not to forget the student perpetrators who were also
impacted by their actions. Certainly they are dealing with lasting consequences. They now have a
second degree felony and the experience of going to prison at such a young age.
Assaults, verbal abuse, bullying, blatant disrespect, threats, and life threatening situations are
increasing in our school settings. There is data from the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, (NIOSH), Institute of Education Sciences, (IES), and American Psychological
Assosications, (APA) that supports this fact. APA calls violence against educators “A Silent
National Crisis.” I can provide some eye-opening statistics from APA’s study which was
completed in 2011.
 Each year approximately 253,100 teachers are threatened with injury
 Approximately 927,000 lost days of work for victimized teachers
 Teacher victimization costs the nation approximately $2 billion annually
 Increased worker’s compensation claims and premiums
All these reasons demonstrate that a law for reporting student violence against educators is
warranted.
I am proud that Senator LaRose is committed to Senate Bill 168 and that he realizes the
importance of this legislation. I am also honored that the Ohio Assosications of Secondary and
Elementary Administrators, Victims’ Assistance, DARE officers, area schools, citizens, and
doctors have been committed to support the efforts of getting this bill passed.
Please let us never forget that teachers and staff in our schools play one of the most significant
roles in the lives of our students. This type of violence is a serious problem that demands
immediate attention. One of the first steps is passing legislation that would require accurate
reporting of incidents to Ohio Department of Education, (ODE). Currently, no state in the union
has a reporting law. By passing this portion of Senate Bill 168 Ohio can proactively address this
serious issue in our schools. It is important to note that without proper reporting of assaults in
schools inaccurate or no reporting will continue.
Senate Bill 168 encourages our school communities to work together to increase awareness,
create solutions, and make a positive difference in addressing student violence against educators
and staff.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify this morning. I would be happy to answer any questions that
you may have.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Hinton