In Hernando County, however, more than a third of high school students stayed home last year. Joanne McDaniel, acting director of the National School Safety Center, said despite the fears, the country has moved beyond Columbine. State statistics show incidents of school crime and violence dipped to 174,338 last year from 227,872 in the 1996-97 school year. Parents are more involved. Students are taking more responsibility.
Schools are still a safe environment.
We don't want to lose sight of that. St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.