School

Safety On Election Days

To the editor:

THEREISA serious concern for the safety of the students and staff at Ann Blanche Smith School. The school is vulnerable to an attack from an intruder because the schoolʼs gymnasium is used as a polling location while school is in session with students.

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Even though the last two election days (Nov. 8, 2022; March 14) were half-day for students, someone from the outside with nefarious intent could have easily entered the school through the gymnasium and done irreparable harm to the students and staff. School was in session for a full day on the most recent Primary Election, June 6.

The current set up on election days where anyone from the outside can enter Smith School is an anomaly.Typically, when people enter a school building when school is in session, they are required to check-in and/or present an ID.

Smith School is an especially soft target because of the limits placed on law enforcement officials. The districtʼs SLEO III officer has been posted at Ann Blanche Smith on election days,