Post by Chris_Wendt on Jan 8, 2013 10:36:38 GMT -5
I am disturbed at the volume of reports and statements disclosing school district security measures in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy. Many of these, the majority, are released by school boards or school superintendents with the misguided intention of calming jittery parents.
Most school security measures were and still are good, having been massively upgraded in the aftermath of the Columbine tragedy in concert with law enforcement. Some school security issues certainly could be improved upon at this time. But the technicalities and specifics are really none of the public's business.
The most likely "threat" to school security is posed by non-custodial parents in the form of unauthorized contact up to and including custodial interference or even kidnapping of their children. Too much blabbing by school officials about security protocol to parents may facilitate and heighten that risk.
I think the SED should charge BOCES with coordinating a careful review of best practices among all (Nassau) school districts (and schools), and then the State Legislature should issue grants in aid to any district requiring upgrades. But this should all be done out of the public spotlight, by security professionals engaged by BOCES.
If there ever was a case to be made for "best practices", this is it. The safety of YOUR children should not be determined by the wealth of the school district or how big is the commercial tax base. The fundamental level of student security at school should be consistent across our county, at least, and funding should pooled through BOCES to get all children the security to which they are entitled while at school, as opposed to what some people think they can comfortably afford.
Seriously,
Chris Wendt
Most school security measures were and still are good, having been massively upgraded in the aftermath of the Columbine tragedy in concert with law enforcement. Some school security issues certainly could be improved upon at this time. But the technicalities and specifics are really none of the public's business.
The most likely "threat" to school security is posed by non-custodial parents in the form of unauthorized contact up to and including custodial interference or even kidnapping of their children. Too much blabbing by school officials about security protocol to parents may facilitate and heighten that risk.
I think the SED should charge BOCES with coordinating a careful review of best practices among all (Nassau) school districts (and schools), and then the State Legislature should issue grants in aid to any district requiring upgrades. But this should all be done out of the public spotlight, by security professionals engaged by BOCES.
If there ever was a case to be made for "best practices", this is it. The safety of YOUR children should not be determined by the wealth of the school district or how big is the commercial tax base. The fundamental level of student security at school should be consistent across our county, at least, and funding should pooled through BOCES to get all children the security to which they are entitled while at school, as opposed to what some people think they can comfortably afford.
Seriously,
Chris Wendt