The panel wants to encourage parental involvement, improve curriculum and strengthen school safety. The locker search proposal was one of the more controversial ideas. House Speaker Chuck Perricone, R-Kalamazoo Township, said many districts already check lockers, but some are unsure of their rights and would like a state law. What the task force is recommending is that we clarify that area. It is our belief that the locker belongs to the school and school district.
Some students disagree.
That's my private stuff. Task force members were especially high on a program run by the Owosso School District, which hired a volunteer coordinator to encourage and organize parents who want to help. They believe children learn more when parents are involved. Tracey Smith, president of the Parent Teacher Organization at Southwest Elementary in Howell, said most parents who want to be involved already volunteer. But I guess if you are paying someone to get them involved, then you probably will get more.