School Safety Resolution Passes In Lakewood

LAKEWOOD, OH — The Lakewood Board of Education passed a resolution to reduce school violence and ensure school safety at the March 5 meeting. The resolution also implores political leaders, from the governor of Ohio to President Donald Trump, to take action to prevent school shootings.

“The hope is when we add our voice with other school districts across the nation that our collective voices will have an impact,” said Board member Emma Petrie Barcelona in a post on the district's website.

The resolution specifically asks political leaders to create legislation and provide funding for:

• Mental health services and substance abuse treatment, including sufficient access for everyone, including children.
• More access to school safety measures, including School Resource Officers, safety infrastructure and more security measures to protect against active shooters on school grounds.
• Coordination with first responders to ensure an appropriate plan is in place in the event of a school shooting or other school violence. Also, training for school employees to ensure preparation.
• Protection of students and district employees from acts of violence.

The district said the resolution is the result of increased pressure and anxiety in the wake of the Marjory Stoneman High School shooting that left 17 people dead.

Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch