SARASOTA, Fla. -- School districts are looking at new ways to make schools safe for our kids. Sarasota County has asked for input from the community and set up a "school safety feedback" email.
The issue is on parents’ minds, like Brian Day. Day’s daughter, Julia is a second grader.
“You want them to feel safe in school, it’s where they should feel safe,” said Day.
What can schools do differently to protect children?
“That’s a tough one. Look for warning signs for kids who seem troubled. Listen to students when they say something about guns,” said Day.
Hunter Sorbino attends a private school and his mom thinks more should be done. “I think they need to enclose schools more. I feel they are way too open for anybody to get into the school. I think they need more resource officers at the school,” said Jessica Sorbino.
More resource officers is a common suggestion made to the Sarasota School District through its new “school safety feedback” email program.
The district has received more than 600 emails in two days. Many of you suggest metal detectors, routine backpack checks, and body scanners.
Marion Gerner suggests, “Providing training to parents at each school on how to monitor their child’s social media activities.”
While many say guns are not the problem, others disagree.
Urquiza Loridia wrote, “Guns are the only problem. Period. We all know it. Assault weapons don’t belong in people’s hands.”
Chelsea Seidensticker’s says more resource officers isn’t the answer for her 6-year-old daughter Erin, who is in first grade.
“I think it's a good experience to see their badge and gun, but it might scare them more than anything. Why so many cops?” said Seidensticker.
But if schools were to follow all of these suggestions, such as adding better security to doors and bulletproof windows, would it be enough?
Day said, “It would cost a lot of money, but the alternative is to have what we’ve had this last year.”
The Sarasota school district is still accepting input on school safety and security from anyone in the community. You can Email them here: schoolsafetyfeedback@sarasotacountyschools.net
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