Depending on the answers, they can develop a plan that takes into account their needs and the will of the community. Stephens says including stu-dents in the decision making process can make the difference between a plan that is successful or unsuccessful. The smart administrators are including students in the process because students have a self interest in making their campuses safe. New security measures, such as broader use of metal detectors, lock-er searches, searches of vehicles in school parking lots and the increasing use of access controls can be a flash point for controversy. Students and parents are sensi-tive to intrusion and infringement of their rights to privacy.
Schools look like armed camps.
When we as adults can answer that question, we can answer where the limit lines can be drawn. For all the consciousness raising that has occurred since the shootings at Columbine, Stephens still sees more violent and heartbreaking times in the immediate future. The challenge for schools this fall is to have a clear recollection of Columbine and the meaning it has for schools across America. But the places where it's been happening are the nice suburban and rural schools. I am optimistic about the changes that can be made.