Governor’s plans for strengthening school safety welcome

There is no shortage of opinions of how it should be done, but nearly all agree something needs to be done to keep our kids safe in their schools. As students in La Crossse and across the country walked out of their classrooms yesterday in support of the school shooting victims in Florida, our lawmakers are still trying to decide what to do. Governor Scott Walker tells WIZM News he will be unveiling a series of initiatives in coming days designed to improve the safety of Wisconsin’s schools. We don’t know the specifics yet, or what it might cost, but this is encouraging news. Walker vows his plan will address school safety much as the nation did at airports and elsewhere after the 9/11 attacks. Walker’s plan does not apparently call for arming teachers, pointing out many teachers don’t want to carry guns in class, and students whose teachers do not would not be equally safe. Walker also is open to the idea of calling a special session of the Legislature, perhaps next month, to address his initiatives. That is a good idea. There are few issues as important to a large number of people as ensuring safety in our schools. They have held special sessions for far less important reasons. And while members of the Assembly are currently adjourned, the only thing on their calendars is raising campaign cash. It would be a much better use of our lawmaker’s time to work to address the growing issue of violence in our schools.