School officials throughout the county spent the summer working out security and crisis response plans, as well as examining preventive measures to address violence and bullying. Their actions were driven by the infamous April 20 shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., when two students described later as outcasts opened fire on their classmates and teachers, killing 13 before turning their guns on themselves. Police investigated bomb threats at Mount Desert Island High School, Bucksport High School, Ellsworth High School and Ellsworth Middle School. Schools reacted by banning bookbags, locking all but the front entrances and asking visitors to check in at the office. Hand-held metal detectors appeared at Ellsworth and Bucksport high schools.
School administrators hope that the summer vacation has restored normalcy to their schools.
Ellsworth Ellsworth High the site of at least two reported bomb threats last fall will not become a fortress any time soon, according to school officials. It will, however, have a guard. The school and city have approved, in principle, employment of a full-time, uniformed police officer to patrol the high school. After the grant expires, the city must decide whether to assume the expense. But I think there re still concerns about safety in the schools, both for students and parents, and seeing an officer in the school makes people feel better.