Voting at Schools: Update

In response to parent concerns at some schools, Federated HSA has arranged for police presence at the following schools tomorrow:
Glen
Travell
Hawes
Orchard
Dr. Fishbein has said that the district will split the cost with Federated.

The district had already arranged for police presence at Willard, and for the police to walk through all other schools throughout the day.

The remaining schools' administrators, in discussion with their HSAs, feel their set-up is fine and they don't need police.

Remember, all of our schools (except Willard) have direct access to voting places so voters will not be walking through the hallways. Parking restrictions will be lifted to ease possible traffic issues.

A little extra info: when this year's calendar was set (two years ago), Election Day was discussed and it was decided not to close the schools. There are 4-5 elections every year...we can not afford to close schools on all 4-5 days, every year. This summer we began discussing election day again, mostly because some Willard parents were concerned. We attempted to get the polling place moved out of Willard to Ridge, and the election commission said "no." The use of schools as polling places is not up to the district or the town. We do not make that decision, and we cannot decline the use of schools. So, to meet the concerns of the Willard parents, we secured Officer Chris McDowell to keep watch at Willard. All of our schools will be employing regular security measures throughout the day -- locked doors, buzzing to get in with school business. If a voter buzzes at the office to enter for voting, they will not be admitted but will be directed to the polling place entrance.

It is certainly every parent's prerogative to keep their child home if they are concerned, but my personal opinion is that that our schools are and will be safe.

GO VOTE!