It has been a historic week for students of the Monroe school district - and at countless other districts - as nationwide protests occurred against gun violence. Coverage in print, online and in social media by the Monroe Times has generated a grassroots community conversation regarding safety in schools. This week has been eye-opening as it pertains to Monroe in particular, and it is prudent to say more must be done to ensure safety.
Our conversation began Tuesday when Mark Nesbitt wrote a story regarding the Monroe school board and commentary it heard from local resident Nicollette Golubov, who told the board that some school buildings have unlocked doors during the day.
This week our editorial board considered the importance of our coverage and what is appropriate to print. In our discussion, we shared our surprise at not having to participate in cautionary security checks when entering some Monroe school district buildings during the day.
Monroe District Administrator Rick Waski said the district is conducting a facilities study to remodel each school, so visitors would have to enter a secure area before entering a building. We applaud the school district for looking into this. We reported in February that Monroe has video surveillance in each school. Monroe has card readers at doors that require a valid ID to open. However, aging door systems have left the district with some unique problems when it comes to fitting automatic locks in some places.
It's advisable to suggest there should be a stop-gap measure put into place. Many schools have, in short periods of time, installed security cameras, remote door locks and the internal protocol necessary to properly operate a security system. Monroe, and other school districts in the same situation, should follow suit. It's not something that can wait. Door locks must be used effectively.
On Thursday, Bridget Cooke and Marissa Weiher of our staff covered the walkout at Monroe High School. No matter how any individual feels about student walkouts, there should be a positive feeling behind the proactive actions of students. People often label the young as self-absorbed or apathetic. This isn't the case on this issue. It's been particularly disturbing to hear pundits say the beliefs and feelings of students have been created by other political interests. That's untrue.
Students have used their voice to raise consciousness to an issue which Congress ignores. In the process, our young people have properly identified where the ineptitude lies when it comes to forming basic protections dealing with the national issue of firearm availability. Historically, it is not uncommon for grassroots political movements to start or gain true momentum among young adults.
Honoring the voices of students is acknowledging there is a problem, which should lead to positive change. We join with many in our community who are lending their voices to this issue on both a local and national scale.
Our conversation began Tuesday when Mark Nesbitt wrote a story regarding the Monroe school board and commentary it heard from local resident Nicollette Golubov, who told the board that some school buildings have unlocked doors during the day.
This week our editorial board considered the importance of our coverage and what is appropriate to print. In our discussion, we shared our surprise at not having to participate in cautionary security checks when entering some Monroe school district buildings during the day.
Monroe District Administrator Rick Waski said the district is conducting a facilities study to remodel each school, so visitors would have to enter a secure area before entering a building. We applaud the school district for looking into this. We reported in February that Monroe has video surveillance in each school. Monroe has card readers at doors that require a valid ID to open. However, aging door systems have left the district with some unique problems when it comes to fitting automatic locks in some places.
It's advisable to suggest there should be a stop-gap measure put into place. Many schools have, in short periods of time, installed security cameras, remote door locks and the internal protocol necessary to properly operate a security system. Monroe, and other school districts in the same situation, should follow suit. It's not something that can wait. Door locks must be used effectively.
On Thursday, Bridget Cooke and Marissa Weiher of our staff covered the walkout at Monroe High School. No matter how any individual feels about student walkouts, there should be a positive feeling behind the proactive actions of students. People often label the young as self-absorbed or apathetic. This isn't the case on this issue. It's been particularly disturbing to hear pundits say the beliefs and feelings of students have been created by other political interests. That's untrue.
Students have used their voice to raise consciousness to an issue which Congress ignores. In the process, our young people have properly identified where the ineptitude lies when it comes to forming basic protections dealing with the national issue of firearm availability. Historically, it is not uncommon for grassroots political movements to start or gain true momentum among young adults.
Honoring the voices of students is acknowledging there is a problem, which should lead to positive change. We join with many in our community who are lending their voices to this issue on both a local and national scale.
