State sponsors school safety summit
Updated: January 23, 2013
SPRINGFIELD -- Safety in school has become a priority after the mass shooting at Sandy Hill Elementary in Connecticut. Now, state leaders here are getting involved. WCIA-3's Steve Staeger keeps us Connected to the Capitol.
A summit of school leaders and law enforcement officials Tuesday focused on safety as the main issue. Of course, it comes at a cost. With the state still in the red, some ideas may sound more like a wish list.
"We wanted to kind of visit with those who are in education and law enforcement. Those are the public servants whose voices aren't always heard. And I want to make sure I listen to them."
So, what are people saying about school safety?
"How do we bring more personnel into our building, psychologists, social workers, who have basically been cut in many districts? They are very much needed to help teachers."
Cindy Klickna is with the Illinois Education Association. A former teacher, she has some perspective.
"If you're going to educate students, you have to know you are safe in that building, they are safe. That parents know they'll be safe with all the resources available."
But, safety comes at a cost. While the state is quick to call this summit, it's not quick with the checkbook. Illinois owes its schools about $700 million.
Some ideas at the summit would cost money, like building safer schools and hiring more resources to deal with troubled students. That's where Klickna's faith fades.
"We all recognize some of these things do take money, and if you're going to have resources for students, programs for students and personnel to help students, you have to pay for it somehow."
Still, Governor Quinn vows public safety is his most important job, and he'll do what he can to make sure it's funded.
"We'll have to continue to search for the resources necessary not only for education, but also to help everyday people in their communities."
Some of the ideas on the table didn't necessarily cost money. One idea is to bring the entire local community together in each district to brainstorm ways to keep kids safer in class.
A summit of school leaders and law enforcement officials Tuesday focused on safety as the main issue. Of course, it comes at a cost. With the state still in the red, some ideas may sound more like a wish list.
"We wanted to kind of visit with those who are in education and law enforcement. Those are the public servants whose voices aren't always heard. And I want to make sure I listen to them."
So, what are people saying about school safety?
"How do we bring more personnel into our building, psychologists, social workers, who have basically been cut in many districts? They are very much needed to help teachers."
Cindy Klickna is with the Illinois Education Association. A former teacher, she has some perspective.
"If you're going to educate students, you have to know you are safe in that building, they are safe. That parents know they'll be safe with all the resources available."
But, safety comes at a cost. While the state is quick to call this summit, it's not quick with the checkbook. Illinois owes its schools about $700 million.
Some ideas at the summit would cost money, like building safer schools and hiring more resources to deal with troubled students. That's where Klickna's faith fades.
"We all recognize some of these things do take money, and if you're going to have resources for students, programs for students and personnel to help students, you have to pay for it somehow."
Still, Governor Quinn vows public safety is his most important job, and he'll do what he can to make sure it's funded.
"We'll have to continue to search for the resources necessary not only for education, but also to help everyday people in their communities."
Some of the ideas on the table didn't necessarily cost money. One idea is to bring the entire local community together in each district to brainstorm ways to keep kids safer in class.
