Shouldwe arm our teachers?

As president of the League of WomenVoters of the Palos Orland Area and under the auspices of the League ofWomen Voters of Illinois, I am writing to inform your readers about a resolution before the Illinois Association of School Boards Conference inNovember.

This is Resolution #2, to provide firearms and training to teachers and staff. If this resolution passes, the IASBwill actively seek sponsors and advocate for legislation to arm teachers and school staff. We are recommending that the delegates vote no.

Wewould like the public to be aware of some alternative, more positiveways to address this issue that can provide support aswell as safety for the students. For example:

Support legislation that would fund school resource officers in all schools in Illinois. The officerworks in collaboration with the school and the community as a resource for safety and security issues and can be actively involved in a threat assessment team that identifies high risk students and channels them for appropriate treatment.

If costs are a prohibitive factor, then consider supporting legislation thatwould fund metal detectors in all schools in Illinois, an approach that is far safer than the introduction of firearms which can contribute to accidental deaths.

Elaine Savage, president, League ofWomen Voters of the Palos OrlandArea