Published: November 01, 2009 01:16 pm      

Editorial: District’s actions bring credit

In a post-Columbine world any possible threat to the safety of our children while in school must be dealt with seriously and immediately.

When students reported that another student might have a gun on the Lowell Smith Jr. Middle School campus, Cleburne ISD officials reacted quickly and in conjunction with the police put into action a plan designed to protect students and resolve the situation.

Several things deserve mention about the district’s response.

First, administrators had a plan. This should go without saying in today’s world, but it’s reassuring to know that a plan was in place and administrators were well enough schooled in the plan to respond without a lot of dithering.

Next, as Superintendent Dr. Ronny Beard noted afterward, the district noted that the plan needs tweaking. Students and faculty were made uncomfortable for longer than necessary, and students at other schools need not have been as drastically affected by the news.

Then, Beard did the right thing by going to the school and engaging concerned parents. Had there been an actual threat, and all can be thankful there wasn’t, such an action could have put Beard in jeopardy, but he understood the best thing he could do was show his concern by joining the worried parents.

Also the situation shows the need for improved security at the schools. District officials have admitted the need in the recent past and have said they will do what they can as funds come available.

This incident should increase the sense of urgency about finding the resources to install the necessary equipment to improve security.

Finally, students need to be reminded about making careless accusations while at the same time being equipped to help officials by providing specific, accurate information.

Assuming the students making the reports weren’t pulling a prank, they couldn’t provide a clear description that would have enabled police to find the supposed gunman.

A great deal of second-guessing will probably come now that the crisis is past, but the district acted appropriately, has evaluated its response and plans to make adjustments.

They are to be commended for their commitment to our children.



This editorial is the opinion of the Cleburne Times-Review