For the first time since I’ve written this column, I offer a disclaimer that the opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the HVRSD district or Board. This message is solely my own.
Since the February Florida school shooting I have received many emails and messages.
The communication has been noticeably different from my experience as a board member after the Sandy Hook tragedy. Back then, I recall President Obama emotionally addressing the nation to share that “Our hearts are broken.” Locally, I recall Superintendent Smith making a tearful statement to our community. Above all, I recall the nation joining together in a shared, profound sadness. We in Hopewell Valley, New Jersey had a kinship that bonded us to families in Newtown, Connecticut. The loss we felt was deeply personal.
In the aftermath, the district updated the security in all of our schools. Our innocence was lost.
In a very short time, formerly open and welcoming elementary schools changed procedures to a single visitor screened entry. The district spent heavily on security, cameras, and added campus safety officers for every school. The secondary school security upgrades were more sophisticated and today every high school student has key card school access.
The 2017 referendum funded building updates with additional security upgrades to be included. Yet with every new security feature retained, comes the dreaded realization that a determined criminal could still penetrate our schools.
Indeed, it is no secret that Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida had an armed resource deputy that never encountered the shooter. Armed guards also failed to stop tragedies at Columbine High School, Virginia Tech, and other school shootings.
Many people have suggested additional security measures including arming school personnel, and investing in metal detectors. I’m also hearing recommendations for Tasers, trauma bags, and other unique solutions.
While I certainly understand the need for further dialogue on the adequacy of our security systems, it should not be our sole focus.
When my son played goalie, his position was the last resort. The job of the defense, or indeed the entire team, was to ensure that the puck or ball never made it to him.
At the risk of employing tired sports analogies, my suggestion is that our school security systems should definitely be the goalie of last resort. We should focus heavily on getting the proper team in place to ensure that a weapon-wielding killer never attempts to test our security systems in the first place.
On Jan. 9, there was a well-attended, countywide meeting and call to action to address mental health issues necessitated by the increasing suicide rate among our youth. Desire to inflict harm on one’s self or among others are two sides of the same coin.
All year the front page of the HVRSD website contained a link to mental health resources. Further, a review of my past columns, including topics such as academic equity, character, drug abuse, empathy, AP testing stress and more, should indicate our districts’ prolonged commitment to addressing social-emotional student health needs.
A district assessment on mental health must also reflect on the impact that the school environment has on student attitudes. There must be a careful balance between enough security to provide safety and so much that surroundings feel like a maximum-security prison.
The latter may actually contribute to the outcomes we are trying to avoid.
In my perfect world, students with issues are helped before a situation becomes a crisis and the insurance provided by a security system goes unneeded.
Although I may be overly optimistic, the district can do their part by accelerating efforts to address school safety and mental health, however the administration will always be dependent on others in the community to achieve a complete resolution.
Namely, students identified in need of professional help must have access to mental health counseling. Further, people witnessing potential situations must report to authorities.
Finally, others must take necessary action so that weaponry, which may exacerbate tragic consequences, is not provided to those with homicidal ideations.
Problems will not be solved easily. While school districts are extremely aware of their responsibility to provide a safe place to learn, the community must also step up if we want the best odds for our children.
Lisa Wolff is vice president of the Hopewell Valley Regional School District Board of Education.
from the schools,
