After I read the following story this morning about our school districts new "strong security measures" I felt compelled to write the superintendent and our local newspaper editor with my concerns. This is the copy of what I sent.
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/education/ ... y-measures
Mr. Yager,
I am a parent of a SWAC student. As I do every morning I check the local news to see what's going on in my town. Today I read the headline about the new 'strong security measures" at SWAC schools. I was anxious to read what the people in charge of our schools had decided would be the most effective method to protect our children. There is nothing in the world more worthy of our protection than our children. I feel it is very important for schools to be aware of who enters our schools, as you know it is already policy that you have to pass a background check to volunteer at school. I would like to know how exactly requiring parents that have already passed the background check to notify the school 24 hours in advance of their visit will make our children safer?
To quote the story from WANE TV
"While other school districts are looking into arming staff members with concealed weapons. Southwest Allen County Schools will not consider the idea."
"We're not interested in training teachers or school personnel, in handing them weapons"
It is disappointing and extremely terrifying to see this is your position. While other school districts are doing everything they can to protect our children and are considering having personnel trained in the safe handling of weapons to fully protect our children, SWAC schools has decided the best way to protect our children from harm is to require parents give 24 hours notice before coming into school to volunteer. What do you think the odds are that this new "security measure" would have prevented the incident in Connecticut? One thing I know for sure that that people with ill intentions do not follow rules, I can assure you that none of the criminals that commit these heinous acts will take the time to call in advance to let you know they're coming.
In the following story from 2010 a gunman came to a school and was stopped by a trained armed security guard and held till police arrived. I doubt he called in advance to let them know he was coming.
http://www.tricities.com/news/article_3 ... 91713.html
The main reason we moved to this area was for the great schools, their safety, and the opportunity it provides our children. I am now thinking that may not have been the best decision if you are "not interested" in taking every possible precaution when it comes to protecting our children.
Signed a very concerned and disappointed SWAC parent,
You as a parent have a right to visit your child's school anytime of the day with out notice.
You need to go to the school board meeting..i am sure you must call ahead to get your name on the agenda to speak.