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In the wake of a string of five murders involving students and guns that has swept the country from Pennsylvania to Oregon since October, KJHS has adopted a new security policy aimed at protecting students and faculty.
According to KJHS principal Moselle DePriest these measures include: restricted entry to all but the main entrance during school hours; a suggestion that teachers keep their doors locked during the class period; and a new “security alarm” designed to alert students and faculty when there is an intruder in the building.
“In light of what’s happened around the country,” said KJHS vice-principal Barry Grace, “it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.”
FHS has taken a less aggressive approach.
“I don’t think you can plan for someone going off the deep end,” said FHS principal Gary Martin.
Is there a difference between KJHS and FHS?
“I think the needs are definitely different for students at this age (eighth and ninth grade) than they are for high school students,” said DePriest.
“I think the politics of high school education are much different from those of Junior High education,” said FHS vice-principal Gene Boyle. “We have over 500 students who are legal adults, and I think there is a need to protect the rights and freedoms of the students.”
A common thread of both schools is the preventive measures taken to stop a dangerous situation before it starts. Both schools have peer-helper programs and conflict mediation between students with disagreements.
“We have an alternative English class for at risk students that stresses conflict resolution,” said DePriest. “These are students with special circumstances and needs. We’re working to meet those needs.”
“Our guidance department does a great job with conflict mediation,” said Martin. “Callie Langohr is especially good at dealing with problems.”
FHS students said they doubted the effectiveness of the new measures.
“I believe that the measures at KJHS are becoming disruptive to learning,” said junior Chris Jambor. “It creates an atmosphere where anxiety pervades everything. KJHS is almost a two-year prison already. This is just tightening the noose.”
“Sometimes, such measures like those used at KJHS could act as a catalyst to provoke the kind of behavior they’re trying to avoid,” said sophomore Bucky Boushor. “A lockdown isn’t the solution. Problems ought to be dealt with before the shooting starts.”
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