Safety in our schools
This week, a Griffin High School student brought an airsoft gun to school. Last week, a Carver Road Middle School student brought a handgun.
These are serious incidents that we have dealt with and will continue to deal with. I'm sure that some may wonder if our schools are safe.
I have asked Jim Smith, our upcoming Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services, to lead a team of school resource officers and assistant principals to evaluate school safety. I asked him for recommendations for needed immediate actions as well as long-term solutions.
Are these isolated events? Is there an increase of activity that we should know about? How should we respond? We will share our progress with you.
We thank those students who reported the weapons to school personnel. Because students trusted adults, school administrators were able to take quick action. In the meantime, it's important to let everyone know that we believe our schools are safe.
School system funding outlook
The governor recommended in his state of the state address and budget to have three more furlough days this school year. His budget also included austerity reductions.
The governor's budget recommendations are not final. The state legislature committees will take the governor's recommendations and decide what adjustments will be made this year.
Jim Smith, Director of Finance, is also our legislative liaison. By keeping in touch with his contacts, he will inform us as soon as decisions at the state level are made.
Because we anticipated further reductions, austerity cuts, and the possibility of more furlough days, the school system began taking cost saving measures last summer.
We believe that as long as the furlough recommendation remains at about three days and the austerity reduction number does not go up significantly, we will benefit from our planning. In other words, we MAY NOT have to furlough all three days.
Keep reading the COMMUNICATOR for updates on these topics.
The best thing we can do is to work hard everyday to help our students - and I ask you to continue doing just that. You do that better than any other I know. Thank you for daring to do better!
