Proposed changes to Noblesville Schools security
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (WISH) — Noblesville Schools announced recommendations to improve security at the district.
It comes weeks after a gunman opened fire in a 7th grade science class at Noblesville West MIddle School, but the plan itself was finalized in the week before the shooting.
Recommendations include putting more focus on early intervention for mental health concerns as well as more suicide awareness training for staff. It would rid the district of portable classrooms. Another big one would be a plan to put a school resource officer in every single school. That will be 13 instead 0f the current number, which is four.
The district would not describe all the security measures being discussed for safety reasons.
Parents overall were appreciative of the presentation but still some are left with questions and concerns.
“I want guidance counselors and social workers to have all the training they need to help students with a wide variety of issues they are dealing with unique to this generation in order to intervene early and effectively with a focus on prevention,” said Craig McCaffrey, an assistant principal at Noblesville High School and a parent to a student at West Middle School.
One parent said they were lucky this time and that the school needs to take action to monitor students who could be a danger to themselves or the community.
“I’m concerned that there are more ticking time bombs still at Noblesville school population of whom you as a board and administration are aware that these individuals pose an immediate and serious risk to the students and staff of our schools and indeed to our entire community,” said Tim Hamashuk.
There are a lot of opinions on what should happen. In fact, the school district put up a list of some of the emails they’ve gotten with completely conflicting responses. For example, some called for the school district to invest in metal detectors while others were completely against it.
Metal detectors was not on the list of proposed changes, and the district said it is continuing to do research on whether it’s a good idea.
School administration officials said safety will be priority number one, not cost.
More recommendations could be coming, and the school district said it will look at local state and federal funding to get some of these recommendations accomplished.
Officials did not rule out that there could be a potential referendum asking for some tax dollars to do what is needed. That would be potentially on the November ballot.
The district told parents, students, teachers and concerned citizens that it will take effort from everyone to continue to work to improve safety at the schools in the upcoming year.