On Sunday, the Sun Journal unveiled an investigative report that delved into the security of local schools – elementary, middle and high schools. The reaction to our story has been overwhelming, so much so that we wanted to share some thoughts from our Web visitors. We invited discussion at the end of our story at www.sunjournal.com, and we got plenty of insightful responses.

Here are a few:

Posted by: Thomas on Nov. 5, 7:31 a.m.

I applaud your testing of safety in the area schools. As a grandfather who has picked up his grandchildren for a few years in Rumford area schools, I can attest to the flaws in security of our schools. Most people do know each other in the Rumford area. Teaching personnel certainly do not wish anyone harm in the schools. But more should definitely be done to forestall that one time. How sad it is that such a fear exists now in America for our children and parents, grandparents. Sadder still is that It does not come from Iraq.

Posted by: Chrissy on Nov. 5, 12:49 p.m.

I applaud the Sun Journal for doing this, 7 years ago, I myself did the very same thing at a Lewiston school to prove the point; it disappoints me to see that not much has changed.

Posted by: miller on Nov. 6, 12:01 p.m.

My child attends Montello School, and they are trying to step up the security, but the problem is that they are singling out certain people and letting other people walk on the property as they please. It really needs to be an all-or-nothing effort, because it only makes the parents that have been told they can no longer walk their children to their lines, upset to see other parents that are not even so much as glanced at while being on the property.

Posted by: Gene on Nov. 6, 2:39 p.m.

A key component of emergency planning is testing a plan to see how well it works. If the plan doesn’t work that well it may need to be changed, or people may need additional training on their roles and responsibilities so that the plan will work. Furthermore, school safety planning must be holistic. A school cannot install security cameras and allow exterior doors to be propped open or left unlocked. A school cannot have good external security and ignore precipitators of violence such as bullying. Also, ALL risks must be considered, not just violence. We all want safer schools for our children and grandchildren… Many of the schools tested realized they had more work to do in the area of good security; an excellent attitude to have. Now is the time to find any weak points in a schools emergency planning efforts. Once an event happens, no one wants it on their conscience that not enough was done before the event. Having safer schools will often require new ways of doing things and some inconveniences as old ways are retired. It is extremely important that parents be interested and supportive as schools work to provide the safest environment for their child. If a parent believes a school is not doing enough to create a safe campus, that parent can work with the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization and Town/County Emergency Management Agency to promote safer schools. Parents should keep in mind it may not be possible for schools to achieve school safety perfection and still have time left to teach their children. Volunteers and additional funds can help improve school safety. Would you donate some time or money to your local school if it would help make it safer?

Copy the Story Link