Columbine aftereffects reach local schools

From the BCCT.

Columbine aftereffects reach local schools
By: RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times

Security has been transformed in Bucks County schools. But one violence prevention group gives a grade of D+ to a $10 billion effort to improve safety in the nation's schools.

More than 10 years ago, Lou Muenker was watching a group of eighth-graders stroll into a Neshaminy school just like any other morning.

Then an administrator, Muenker noticed one of the students had a cell phone. Since mobiles were rare and prohibited in the mid-1990s, he asked the boy why he needed it.

In case my mom needs to reach me for an emergency, the young man said. Muenker light-heartedly teased back that the school already had that covered with a phone in the office.

If only life were still that simple, said Muenker, the district's acting superintendent.

"Now, I can't argue," he said. "[Having a phone] could be very valuable [in a crisis] and we have to be conscious of that."

In the aftermath of Columbine, school officials have been forced to take a step back from their assumed sense of security. When Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold walked into their Colorado high school with guns 10 years ago today, killing 13 and wounding 24, their massacre altered authorities' skewed views of safety across the country.

Administrators began implementing tougher procedures such as locked doors and surveillance cameras. They've instituted security personnel and crisis drills.

And since authorities originally thought Harris and Klebold were taking revenge on popular teens for being bullied, officials also got involved in anti-bullying plans.

Not enough

After $10 billion has been spent on security nationwide, one nonprofit says it's still not enough.

A report card on school violence and prevention by Community Matters gives America's efforts a D-plus. Even though zero-tolerance laws have been passed in more than 28 states, with at least 19 also having anti-bullying legislation, kids are bullying at younger ages and using electronics to do so, the study said.

Between 1999 and 2007, the percentage of students who didn't go to school because of safety concerns increased, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From 2000 to 2005, there was a 50 percent increase in the percentage of youth who were victims of online harassment.

What's lacking, according to the foundation, is funding and an emphasis on emotional, social and behavioral skills.

Many Bucks County school officials, though, disagreed with the grade and said they are doing everything they can to protect children.

For districts like Morrisville, Quakertown and Bensalem and schools, including Bucks County Technical High School in Bristol Township and Holy Ghost Prep in Bensalem, that has meant increasing awareness, cooperation and prevention through emergency plans, training, safety committees, and mentoring and anti-bullying programs, administrators said.

Bensalem staff also must wear ID badges, and people have one entry point only to each building, said Superintendent James Lombardo.

In Neshaminy, where officials continue to offer peer mediation, Internet safety forums and a sanctuary room for immediate intervention, visitors must be buzzed into facilities, Muenker said.

Monitoring visitors

It's a policy similar to Bristol Township's, where greeters have been hired to watch the doors and grant or deny access to the district's nine elementary schools, and monitor guests' visits, said Jim White, operations, safety, environmental and training coordinator.

Their visitors' passes also change color if people stay more than an hour. Though it's rare, greeters could spot the color changing IDs and make sure guests are where they're supposed to be and not just hanging around for no reason.

"Security has changed drastically," said White. "Years ago, when we talked about safety, we meant falling on the playground, not keeping intruders and weapons out. It was assumed and that's sad."

White said he also never dreamed that Bristol Township would own metal detectors, even if they're mostly used on suspicion and not a regular basis.

"What's dramatic and profound is that the effect of Columbine has been for every asset of education," said White. "It's almost become a part of the curriculum and as important as reading, writing and arithmetic."

But security experts say there's still always so much more schools can do - like install mass notification systems and locators into laptops.

That's what Tony Ciambrello, a senior technician for THREE sigma LLC recommends. The Morrisville-based company distributes security products, including fire alarm systems and motion detectors, to mainly higher educational institutions like Delaware Valley College.

"The concern has increased, but I'd say a D-plus is just about right for how well schools are doing," said Ciambrello. "I realize there's money involved and they're limited without alarming parents too much, but they could do more."

A basic system could start at a few thousand dollars. That would increase by several hundred with each location included and speakers for a wireless broadcast system that could transmit pre-recorded messages in emergencies, specifically on college campuses, Ciambrello said.

However, studies show that schools are still the safest place for kids, said Lombardo.

Investigators now know that the Columbine boys weren't bullied and seeking retaliation. But they also know that Klebold was suicidal and Harris had psychological problems.

It is that understanding that convinces schools like Neshaminy and Pennsbury to maintain participation in events like Challenge Day to increase tolerance and understanding, officials said.

"It's difficult to suggest that kids at all times are safe from people who want to do them harm," said Muenker. "I'm not sure what prevents it in the long run. We can only minimize by anticipating. There are no guarantees. We've just got to wake up every day, and hope that they'll be safe by the end of it."

"Years ago, when we talked about safety, we meant falling on the playground, not keeping intruders and weapons out." - Jim White, safety coordinator for Bristol Township schools