School safety doesn’t take summers off.
That was evident on Wednesday as hundreds of professionals from the education and law enforcement communities convened in Orange County for day one of the 15th annual Safe Schools Conference.
![Dr. Stefan Bean](https://newsroom.ocde.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/StefanBean-18-1024x731.jpg)
Hosted by former California Secretary of Education Dave Long through his firm, Dave Long & Associates, in partnership with OCDE and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the three-day conference registered nearly 500 attendees from 19 states, along with another 100 presenters.
Inside a ballroom at Delta Hotels Anaheim Garden Grove, County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean welcomed guests and emphasized the importance of collaboration between educators and law enforcement.
“It is just wonderful to be in a room full of like-minded individuals in which we all have the same priority, and that is to keep our kids safe,” said Bean, who took office on July 1.
Workshop topics are covering school safety plans, the fentanyl crisis, bullying, mental health, crisis communication, innovative technologies and human trafficking.
The 15th annual Safe Schools Conference continues through Friday. Watch Dr. Bean’s welcome below.