Running head: High School Safety Measures

High School Safety Measures

A growing concern is that of high school security protocols. Although recorded school
shootings date all they way back to the 1700s, they have not become a relevant topic until
somewhat recent years. It was on April 20, 1999 when a high school in a small town endured an
hour of rampage, resulting in fifteen dead (two being the shooters and one being a teacher) and
27 injured (Galvin C. n.d.). This tragedy went down in history as the nations deadliest school
shooting known as the Columbine Massacre. Since then public school security has seen major
upgrades in preparation of any future threats. The recent literature suggests that more schools
should balance security with comfortability.
Though schools may have an adequate safety protocol, some believe there should be
further improvement. Not only in the terms of surveillance, schools have fo their security and
visitor tracking. As explained in the following excerpt, Your ID is put through the system, and
it scans it through four or five sex-offender databases nationwide, Martell said.
If a visitor is flagged as a sex offender, an alert is given to the school administrators and the
police. If a visitor has no such record, a sticker is printed out for the visitor to wear that displays
his or her identification photograph as well as name, the date and time and where the visitor is
going within the school. It's definitely a benefit of the school district, Martell said. It's a very
consistent way to track visitors and volunteers and keep people who present a danger away
(Hofmann, 2015). As the schools further improve their ability to keep track of visitors upon
arrival, the staff can accurately detect any potential threats to students and co-workers with ease.
The feeling of being safe is just as important to a student as their education. Some
students feel it would be best for the school to secure their building by any means necessary.
Quoted by a student enrolled in Jonathan Law High School, We're sad and shaken up," said

High School Safety Measures

junior Dakota Callahan at dismissal. "I don't feel safe. I want them to bring in metal detectors.
(Mcloughlin, 2014). Though some may feel that school security measures should not restrict
citizens privacy, some feel their protection is more important.
For schools who may not have the funding required for adequate safety, some school
districts receive funds from the Secured School Safety grant program. This program approves
matching grants to school corporations as well as charter schools. The following article
elaborates, School corporations, charter schools, or coalitions with an average daily
membership (ADM) of at least 1,000 students could apply for grants of up to $50,000, the news
release said. Those with an ADM of less than 1,000 students could apply for a maximum of
$35,000 (News-Sentinel, 2015). This shows that some areas are distributing money to areas in
need of funding for protection.
In contrast to believing in a higher security school, some are afraid these schools will
restrict students beyond reason.Though the school should be safe, the schools should not be like
a bunker. As quoted in discussion over this topic, Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, who
attended Monday's meeting to give a presentation on legislative issues, expressed concerns about
changing the character of the high schools. "I like how open they are," he said. "I don't want to
turn our high schools into Fort Knox. There has to be balance in how we do it (Burgess, 2015).
This is stating that not only should it be secure, but the school campus should also make students
feel safe and at home in their learning environment. Too much security (guards, cameras, metal
detectors, etc.) may make the students feel as if they are in a prison.
Although some schools have different opinions on security, all schools have grown with
precautions and drills to keep both students and teachers ready for any potential threats. Ever
since the Columbine Massacre in 1999, public schools have been on high alert. Some schools

High School Safety Measures

have established airport-like security procedures. Other schools were behind on renovations and
suffered the repercussions. Despite news of threats and shootings, some believe modern security
is exorbitant and should not be ingrained into school environments. All school districts should
have a capable security protocol while respecting the privacy of students and visitors. Anybodys
life could be at risk.

References
Area school districts can boost security with matching state grant funds. (2015, November 13).
Retrieved December 5, 2015, from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com

Burgess, K. (2015, November 28). Funding Sought for Security at RR High Schools. Retrieved
December 5, 2015, from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com

High School Safety Measures

Galvin, C. (n.d.). History of School Shootings in the United States. Retrieved December 5,
2015, from http://www.k12academics.com

Hofmann, M. (2015, November 20). Connellsville Area School District to institute security
boost. Retrieved December 4, 2015, from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com

McLoughlin, P. (2014, April 30). Security heightened at Milford's Jonathan Law High School as
students return after fatal stabbing. Retrieved December 4, 2015, from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com

Sun, C. (2015, October 30). Extra security in place at Colorado Springs high school following
melee. Retrieved December 3, 2015, from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com