There are a lot of ideas out there for making our schools safer. Police and school leaders are asking for three of them and it won't be cheap. FOX 47's Marcus Dash tells us about the 120 million dollar plan and what parents are saying about it.
The proposal calls for more police in schools, more counselors on the staff, and better physical security. Parents I talked with are behind the plan, but for different reasons.
"When you send your kid to a public school you are literally sending them off with a bunch of strangers, and saying I hope everything goes well," said Gloria Trevino-Sealy.
Many of the parents I talked with feel the same way. Dannie Purk thinks the most important part of the plan is adding a familiar face to help protect the school in the form of School Resource Officers.
"I would want them to have anybody and everybody available in order to keep it from happening in our area," said Dannie Purk.
This week's Maryland shooting ended when a School Resource Officer killed the gunman.
Despite that, Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth says there are still a lot of misconceptions about the job. He says some people mistakenly compare them to hired security guards.
"They got full arrest powers, they are armed, they have all of the tricks of the trade that all other cops have they are just assigned to school buildings," said Scott Wrigglesworth.
On the other hand, Lansing superintendent Yvonne Caamal Canul says the biggest part the safety plan would be the addition of more counselors. She says students don't always get the attention they need.
"1500 kids running between classes and all that and you have two counselors or three counselors when does a student have an opportunity to speak to an adult on whatever it is that troubles them," said Caamul Canul.
Parents told me they're just relieved to see schools and police getting away from the idea of arming teachers.
"Having counselors and trained professionals whether it be officers or counselors is a lot better than having the alternative," said Trevino-Sealy.
"They are there to teach, they are not there to take down a terrorist," said Craig Hampton.
The proposal also calls for new security equipment like metal detectors at schools. Obviously, some buildings already have them. The next step for the reform plan is to get state lawmakers onboard. That may not be easy with 120 million dollar price tag.
