Officials offer proposals for making schools safer
BY DAN NEWMAN
Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN - School and political representatives from throughout Monmouth County came out last week to a forum to unveil initiatives on school safety for the new year.

The forum, held Jan. 10 at Middletown High School South and hosted by Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-Monmouth/Middlesex), who was joined by a crowd of officials that included county Superintendent of Schools Eugenia Lawson, First Assistant Prosecutor Peter Warshaw and Middletown interim Schools Superintendent Karen Bilbao.

State Police Lt. Doug Heath spoke about how each school district, while having different needs, should really be striving for the same ultimate goal: to keep students safe.

"Sure, there's a money issue in towns throughout the state," said Heath, who is a member of Gov. Jon Corzine's School Security Task Force. "We can say we want cameras, and fences and anything we can think of to protect our kids, but the truth is, it's just not possible in each and every town. What we as parents, law enforcement officials and educators need to do is figure out the best way to combat the problems that may be out there."

Handlin referred to the terroristic threats that caused problems in the Middletown School District in the 2005-06 school year, to the tune of over a dozen bomb threats, as well as an incident late last year in which an aide from a bus company the district employs allegedly gave drugs to a high school freshman.

"Terroristic threats must be dealt with much more severely," Handlin said. "Our goal is to stop a whole array of crimes before they ever happen. I also want to improve access to criminal background checks."

To this end, Handlin is proposing legislation to handle these issues. Part of her proposal is to require individuals who were previously arrested for crimes such as burglary or resisting arrest be suspended until the offense(s) are settled. Also, if a district employee is convicted of an offense, that person would no longer be allowed to work in a school district.

She also wants legislation stating that all school bus aides must go through a background check, something that is not currently on the books.

Lawson mentioned that presently, background checks are merely a requirement upon hiring.

Former Howell High School Principal and newly elected Monmouth County Freeholder Barbara McMorrow spoke specifically about bomb threats.

"We have to take all threats seriously these days because the climate in society has changed so much," McMorrow said. "When it comes to bomb threats, it's problematic for everyone and it's got to stop."

Besides trying to stymie threats of any sort, Middletown has taken the step of testing students who are involved in extracurricular activities for drugs and alcohol. Those who are found with drugs or alcohol in their systems will be suspended from activities and the privilege of parking their vehicles on campus.

"The consequences are tied to the privileges now," Bilbao said. "The program is not designed to be punitive."

Concerning the recent wave of gang violence in the county, Warshaw said that the greatest deterrent is parents and what they tell their children.

"We need to continue with our anti-gang message and kids need to realize that gangs are no good for them or anybody around them," Warshaw said.