Burlington Hosts Roundtable On School Shootings

BURLINGTON, MA -- Gov. Charlie Baker and superintendents from communities throughout Massachusetts were in Burlington Monday for a roundtable discussion on school safety in the light of recent school sessions. Last month the Baker-Polito Administration filed legislation providing $150 million across K-12 and higher education programs, including funds to support school safety, strengthen mental health programs in schools, provide additional pathways to higher education opportunities, and address substance misuse prevention, education and screening for students.

Speaking with WBUR's Morning Edition on Monday, Burlington Superintendent Eric Conti said he expected much of the discussion to focus on that funding. In Burlington, Conti said, the administration has tried to foster "positive relationships" between students and adults as a way to prevent school shootings and identify at-risk kids. He also said that decisions on school safety are best made at the local level.

"Do I think schools need to become fortresses? I personally don't think so, but I would never make that decision for another community," he said.

Conti was also asked if he thought students were nervous about returning to school, given the widespread media coverage of school shootings.

"I hope they're approaching this fall with a sense of excitement -- I know I still get excited at the start of the school year," he said. "If there are concerns, I hope see presence of adults and that we always have a solid police presence."

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Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).