Posted by Betty, a resident of San Ramon, on Dec 17, 2012 at 8:57 am

As a substitute teacher who is in many schools in the district I would caution the district from over stating the protection they offer to the children and staff. There is not a campus in the district where the public can not just walk on the campus and enter buildings without being challenged. The high schools don't even pretend to secure their campuses, as students and adults freely walk on and off campuses. The same is true for the elementary schools where volunteers and other parents (and strangers?) often walk right to various classrooms.

While nothing can stop a mentally ill person from doing some harm, our schools could do much more to secure campuses. Perhaps this should be the first thing they do with the bond money which was just approved?

Posted by Bob P, a resident of another community, on Dec 17, 2012 at 11:36 am

I agree with Betty, to say that any school in the SRVUSD is 'secure' is like saying a Pinto was a safe car to drive. People who follow the rules, will check in at the office, sign forms and log sheets, etc.

The logic follows along the same lines as enacting new laws. The only people who that will affect will be the people who respect the law in the first place.

About the only effective way to really secure a school campus would be to have it completely fenced and with a single point of entry, guarded by security and with metal detectors. That's not ever going to happen.

Posted by DK, a resident of San Ramon, on Dec 17, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Take care of the Mentally Ill, Homeless, Addicted and you will take care of 99% of crime in this country. We all need to wake up and smell the roses people. Another good thing to do would be to Pray! No Bars, Buzzers, Fences, Guards, etc. are going to keep out those that are sick. They will find a way. Oh and making it illegal to bear a weapon is ridiculous. We might as well lay down and let them shoot. Oh and then if we make guns illegal then we should make Meth and Heroin Illegal too! As Dr. Phil says "Hows that working for you?"

Posted by Bayareamom, a resident of San Ramon, on Dec 18, 2012 at 10:59 pm

Our son just graduated from Dougherty High School last year. We were both discussing this issue tonight; he explained (and I already knew) that all anyone needs to do at Dougherty (and any other school in this district) is walk right on through the main entrance; they are, of course, required to sign in. But as my son stated, if it was someone like the shooter at Sandy Hook entering through this same entrance, you're pretty much out of luck. Sandy Hook had just installed a new security system in one of its front windows. That same window was the window the shooter put ammunition through, to get inside on his own. There was a buzzer installed, which had to be pushed in order to let anyone in, but obviously that's not going to work if someone has a gun and wants to get in.

Not too sure how we can make our schools completely secure, unless we've got armed guards with metal gates surrounding all our schools.