‘A’ is for anxious

Readers voice concerns about school safety and boosting classroom performance

Sensible gun laws are cost-effective

THE SAFEST SCHOOL in the United States is Southwestern High School in Shelbyville, Ind. It has security cameras in every room and hallway with a direct feed to the county sheriff’s office. Teachers are equipped with panic buttons. There are smoke cannons in each hallway. The cost is around $400,000 for one school.

What would it take to make every school in New Mexico safe? Let’s just look at APS : $400,000 x 168 schools = $67,200,000.

Another idea: Install steel doors and bulletproof glass. Steel doors and frames cost about $1,000. Bulletproof glass will be about $500: ... $1,000 x 168 schools x the number of doors in each school = ? Plus $500 x 168 schools x the number of windows in each school = ?

How about hiring security guards at $10 an hour, place two in each school. Two guards x $10 an hour for eight hours a day x 180 school days x 168 schools = $4,838,400.

Or just use the personnel already at school and train and arm them: Three people at each school x the cost of guns, ammunition, and training + the cost of substitute personnel + the cost of a secure lo(ck) box for each weapon + plus spring and fall target practice x 168 schools = $300,000.

Or this: Pass a law outlawing bump stocks,168 schools x $0 = $0. Pass a law outlawing high capacity magazines, 168 schools x $0 = $0. Pass a law outlawing military-grade weapons, 168 schools x $0 = $0. Pass a law requiring those purchasing guns to be at least 21, 168 schools x $0 = $0. Pass a law requiring universal background checks, 168 schools x $0 = $0. Pass a law prohibiting felons or those with mental issues from owning guns, 168 schools x $0 = $0.

School safety does not require a lot of money, just common sense.

ALLAN BASH Albuquerque