Since the nation’s latest school shooting tragedy, I’ve struggled not only to comprehend why these senseless acts continue to occur in our schools but also with my own silence. Frankly, until today, I struggled to find words that express my anger, empathy, and concern for our students and staff.
I vividly remember having similar feelings in the days following Sandy Hook. Even though the latest incident took place more than 1,000 miles from here, I still grieve for the victims and their families as if they were our neighbors.
I really don’t want to have to learn any more difficult lessons from these tragedies but that simply isn’t our reality. Sadly, events like this become unwanted learning opportunities that remind schools of our obligation to provide the safest possible environments for all who study, work or visit.
In the days to come, I will be reviewing our security processes with each building principal who in turn will do the same with their staffs. We’ve maintained fairly restrictive building entry policies for several years. However, increased restrictions may be advisable.
It is important to note that all of our school building staffs have now participated in active shooter training sessions conducted by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department. We maintain a close working relationship with our first responders and will continue to do so. We are fortunate to have such a caring and capable group of people in these important roles.
We will also do all that we can to maintain learning environments that provide all students the experiences and supports necessary to become productive and peaceful citizens of our great country.