Referendum will help ensure student safety

As a parent, my biggest fear is getting the news that there has been a shooting or other kind of violent act at my children's school. With incidents at schools throughout the country, school safety is on every parent's mind. No parent should have this concern when they kiss their kid goodbye and watch them get on the school bus. Even worse, our children should never have to think about this.

A school should be a safe place. But most schools, including our own, aren't currently secured properly to prevent something from happening. This is a priority our district needs to address. We must do what we can to secure our children's future which is why I will be voting yes this election on District 21's referendum.

We have a real opportunity to pass a referendum ensure the safety of our children and takes steps to enhance the security of our schools. If we can come together as a community, this referendum will fund increased security at building entrances, updated security cameras and improved exterior lighting, and improve internal security systems.

It will also fund the installation of air conditioning districtwide. Currently, the windows and doors in our children's classrooms have to be propped open to cool the rooms for months within the school year, but this makes our children vulnerable to security issues.

Like any parent, I want what is best for my children, and passing this referendum will keep them safe in this era of heightened.

Meredith Duggan

Arlington Heights