As our children return to the classroom from summer vacation, school safety becomes a significant concern to parents, teachers and school administrators. Congress and other government agencies can play a role in ensuring that our schools are safe and free of drugs. Eastern Washington schools are generally safe, but we must remain vigilant to prevent problems facing other school districts from occurring in our own. Prevention begins with parental involvement because children often report concerns to their parents or family members. Teachers and school administrators share a role in prevention by recognizing early warning signs of danger, like significant changes in grades or mental health.
Students also can help their friends by notifying proper authorities of their concerns.
Recognition of problems must not be met with silence, but with action. Acts of school violence do not generally emerge without warning signs, and we do not want to be haunted with the questions of what if or what could have we done to spot a problem and stop it. Congress recognizes that some school districts desire more assistance than prevention programs to ensure a safe learning environment. Of this amount, the City of Reardan was able to hire one officer. I expect additional cities and counties in Eastern Washington to receive funding in the near future.