Protecting our schools

LARRY ANDERSON
Larry Anderson

When the tragedy occurred at Columbine, I was still a classroom teacher. I was shocked by the event as was everyone and was forced to imagine how I would react if my students were threatened by an intruder. Would I know what to do? Would I do the right thing?

Fortunately, I never had to find the answers to those questions, but I can tell you they were on the mind of every teacher in America. Still are.

Columbine and subsequent attacks such as Sandy Hook changed the landscape of American education. For schools not to react to the violence would be negligent; to overreact could be detrimental to the educational environment.

No one learns well when afraid. Nobody responds well knowing the security of a building resembles a jail more than a center for education.

Following Columbine, my school began intruder drills that were carried out in a manner similar to storm and fire drills. Teachers in classrooms were warned over the intercom of an intruder. I then ordered my students to the front of the classroom where they hopefully could not be seen through the door. I then locked the door and took a position between the entrance and the kids.

Of course, I was unarmed, and the idea that I could stop a maniac from mayhem once the door was breached would have been delusional.

I had no such delusion.

In the years since, schools have taken more effective measures to protect students and teachers.

Security cameras have been installed at many school entrances, doors have better locks, and uniformed guards have been hired in some districts. Training for personnel is definitely better than it was a decade ago.

Government has responded, too, in ways that are usually helpful, but sometimes more reflective of concern and urgency than an understanding of the situation that can occur when a school is invaded by insanity.

The Missouri Legislature has proposed a bill that would allow specially- trained teachers or administrators to be armed for the purpose of protecting children from attack. The bill is well-intentioned, but wrong-headed.

I can tell you unequivocally that teachers should not carry arms in the classroom.

Here’s why: In the event of an intrusion, the designated teacher with the firearm would be forced out of his classroom leaving that class, his primary responsibility, alone. That’s unacceptable.

In a threatening event, the teacher may be the only calming factor for those under his care. That responsibility comes first, and everyone in education understands and accepts that.

The idea of a teacher or principal rushing into a hallway waving a gun around may very well create as much hazard as an intruder. Also, what if the trained teacher is absent that day? What if the firearm is under lock-and-key, as it certainly should be, but in the terror of the moment, the designee can’t get to the weapon in time? Finally, a teacher trained to educate in math or social studies should not be expected to enter into police work with a minor amount of training.

The emphasis should be on calm response to an emergency, not racing to engage a homicidal intruder in a shootout.

Preventive measures should be dedicated to keeping an intruder from entering the building. Once inside, it’s a different scenario; that’s why security should be full-time, totally engaged, and professional.

I want to be clear: schools should employ trained personnel to protect kids, but that should be their only duty.

Entrances should be monitored, doors should be locked, police should patrol parking lots, and parents should talk to their kids about their safety. At most, a firearm should be kept under lock and key in the principal’s office as a secondary resource with more than one person able to access in case the principal is not there. Few principals sit in their office.

The argument has been made that schools can’t afford the additional personnel necessary for security.

Baloney.

It is a matter of priorities and partnership. Besides, there are plenty of well-trained former/retired policemen and military looking for work.

Incidentally, if you enter any federal office building where adults exclusively work, you will be met by armed security. Safety for federal workers is a priority.

The same should be provided for our kids, but guns should be left in the hands of professionals, considering the human density of schools.

The Missouri legislation does not require a school to arm personnel; it just provides the option if approved by administration and community.

Larry W. Anderson was a teacher for 30 years.