Five ideas to address school shootings

IN LIGHT OF the recent school shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., and the discussion of whether or not to arm school teachers, I am writing you about a viable option for all schools, not just here in New Mexico but nationwide, that does not require our overstressed teachers to carry a gun.

... I worked in the Broward County school district in Florida before moving to New Mexico, so the recent shooting hit home for me. I think the following ideas should be in every school nationwide for the safety and peace of mind of our children.

1. Every school should have a single point of entry for all visitors to sign in. ID must be checked every time.

2. Every school should have a school resource officer and at least two campus security monitors.

3. Every school should have the entire campus gated and locked at all times with the exception of when buses are dropping off or picking up students . ... All deliveries must be let in through the gate by the custodial staff.

4. Every school should have metal detectors at the single point of entry.

5. Every visitor must have their ID checked, and a picture ID should be printed and worn by every visitor while on campus. Every visitor must check out before leaving the school campus as well.

... We have to find a way to make sure our children are safe and secure while they are learning so they do not have to worry about the possibility of being the target of the next school shooting. The only way we can keep our children safe is taking precautions with preventative measures . ... This way, our schools are secure just in case our government doesn’t want to amend our current gun laws and take away the ease in which citizens can purchase assault rifles.

... Are our children expendable? I think not, and it’s time to start doing what is necessary to prevent another shooting at our local schools nationwide. How many more children have to die before we decide to make their schools safe? Are they not worth the effort?

LINDA M. SMITH Rio Rancho