Board Passes School Safety Resolution

At its meeting on March 5, the Lakewood Board of Education passed a resolution on one reading supporting school safety and reducing violence in schools.

The resolution states that “school board members, administrators, employees and community members should work together with lawmakers, legal counsel, law enforcement and security experts to determine how best to ensure student safety in their district” and “implores” the President of the United States, Governor of Ohio, U.S. Congress and Ohio General Assembly to enact legislation and provide adequate funding for the following:

• Enhanced mental health services and substance abuse treatment so that all individuals, including children, have sufficient access to these services.
• Increased access to school safety measures, including, but not limited to, School Resource Officers (SROs), school safety infrastructure, and other security measures designed to protect students and staff from an active shooter on school grounds.
• Training for school employees and enhanced coordination with law enforcement agencies and first responders to ensure appropriate responses to incidents of violence in schools.
• Protection of students and school employees from any act of violence.

The resolution is a result of the growing urgent concern surrounding school safety after the a mass shooting in Parkland, Fla., last month that resulted in 17 dead students and staff members of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

“The hope is when we add our voice with other school districts across the nation that our collective voices will have an impact,” said Board member Emma Petrie Barcelona.

School districts across the nation are putting more pressure on legislators to act. On March 14, Lakewood High School took part in activities for the National School Walkout Day. School administrators worked with student leaders to produce a program that included a gathering at the football field that included a moment of remembrance for the 17 victims and remarks from students. The school also hosted Walk-In The Vote! during lunch periods to register students who will be 18 in November.