Talking down school violence: As Columbine anniversary nears, it’s critical we invest in support personnel in facilities

One component lost in  SB 451  haunts us daily.
But more so today as we near the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre April 20.
That absent aspect of SB 451 was $25 million to be evenly distributed to counties for school support personnel. It also allowed for school districts to pick the discipline — nurse, psychologist, counselor, etc.
The bill also eliminated limits on school counselors’ time and gives them greater flexibility for direct counseling to students for academic, social and emotional needs.
Also embedded in that bill  was school safety fund dollars for counties to use as they thought best — metal detectors, school police officers, etc.
Though it’s obvious that since Columbine schools are more fortified and lockdown drills are the norm, yet it isn’t enough. No, spending money on school safety is not a waste, but we suspect it’s not enough to stop future  violence in schools.
One recent study pointed out that of 45 school shootings since April 20, 1999, almost all the shooters were current or former students. As a result, they are well aware of access to those schools.
That research questioned the conclusions about school fortification and other ideas about prevention..
Instead, it recommended more engagements with troubled students to recognize when intervention is essential.
Many of the shooters had a history of trauma as a risk factor for violence and most had suicidal thoughts or had expressed threats before.
Far be it from us to pretend we’re experts on this subject, but when anyone starts making threats intervention is critical.
Some teachers and staff may recognize the urgency of such behavior, but most are hardly qualified to assess students who are potentially violent.
All of this leads us to believe we need to invest in more counselors and social workers as much as or possibly more than security systems.
This is no call to send anyone who makes an angry threat to juvenile court or expel them, either. Indeed, counselors and others need to determine what can help.
We cannot point to data that bears out that we are spending more money on new locks for schools than new counselors.
However, we suspect the ratio of counselors to students in our schools is wholly inadequate statewide.
It’s uncertain what improvements or not to public education will emerge when the Legislature resumes its special session.
However, we urge the governor and Legislature to ensure that proposed $25 million or more for additional school support personnel remain in any bill.
It’s imperative we find ways to prevent school shootings before they happen.