Poll: Do You Want Millburn-Short Hills Teachers to be Armed?
The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School has begun a renewed conversation about how to best protect schools.
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The school shooting in Newtown, Conn., in December has since triggered a conversation polarizing much of the country: Should teachers be armed in the classroom?
In the aftermath of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which left 20 school children and six adults dead, administrators, teachers, parents and students are struggling with how best to address school safety.
A week after the shooting, National Rifle Association CEO and Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre called on school districts to arm their teachers -- among other tactics to increase school security.
The effect of the shooting has spread far from Newtown’s borders. Schools across Essex County were on high alert. Many districts reported student incidents, others increased the police presence in their schools, and more reevaluated their safety procedures.
Four days after the shooting, a bomb threat at Montclair High School caused police and administrators to evacuate the students.
Recently, NRA President David Keene added that districts should decide how best to protect students and teachers, according to CNN.com.
Taking Keene’s advice, the Millburn Patch asks parents and residents: Do you want Millburn teachers to be armed? Is the answer more armed security guards or police officers -- and consequentially, the increased taxes which inevitably follow?
Or are we totally off the mark?
Vote now in the poll below, and share the opinions and ideas you have been thinking this month.
MillerTime
10:20 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Millburn teachers with guns. Give me a break.
Joanne Smythe
10:28 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2013/01/marlboro_schools_chief_armed_guards_will_rachet_up_school_security.html
Marlboro is first N.J. district to place armed guards at schools
MARLBORO — The armed police officers who began patrolling Asher Holmes Elementary and seven other schools in Marlboro today are giving parents like Lucian Nicolescu peace of mind.
"I’m in favor of this change. I feel safer sending my daughter to school knowing there are police there to protect her," said Nicolescu, whose 9-year-old attends Asher Holmes.
In the wake of last month’s school shooting in Newtown, Conn., where 20 children and six teachers were killed, Marlboro today became the first district in New Jersey to staff public schools with armed officers.
Superintendent David Abbott said he decided to place officers in the schools after township officials asked him to "ratchet up" school security in the district, which has an enrollment of about 5,300 students.
Realistic Person
8:32 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
NO !! That would be a reason to leave this district. It's not the answer...
MillerTime
3:47 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
It is interesting that the top 5 wealthiest private schools in America have Armed guards.
Mb
6:20 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
I don't think teachers should be armed. I am interested in learning more about shatter proof glass and other security measures to protect our children.
GoodPig
7:53 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
So, are you suggesting every teacher have a firearm? I disagree with that - first of all, where would the firearm be kept? Secondly, how quickly could a teacher drop a lesson, go searching for a locked gun in time to shoot an intruder while in class - sounds completely unrealistic and unsafe! No, maybe an armed guard at a school, but not teachers!