Dist. 21 proposition will make schools safer

It is without question that we live in a time of unprecedented violence in our communities, including our schools. Rarely does a significant period of time go by without a report somewhere of gun violence in our country and our District 21 schools are not exempt! Lockdown/intruder drills have become the norm.

Passing this referendum will allow our district to provide much needed additional security at all of our schools.

While our administration and staff have done what they can with preparedness, each one of our schools has major security concerns and areas that are too accessible to the public. Renovating our schools to only allow access through one point of entry that is locked and bullet-resistant, providing updated security cameras and lighting are a must in this day and age. However, none of that can be done without passing this referendum!

Even air-conditioning plays a major role in securing our schools. Renovating our schools to provide additional security would be significantly hindered if we allow the environments within the schools to remain too hot so that windows and doors need to be propped opened for air flow, let alone the negative impact those temperatures have on students' health and ability to learn. We can't ask our staff to teach and kids to learn in that type of environment.

Consequently, I write in favor of Community Consolidated School District 21's referendum, which seeks support from the community to provide every school in the district with enhanced security, significantly improved energy efficiencies, air-conditioning and classrooms ready for full-day kindergarten and a 21st century learning environment that will better prepare our students for life beyond school.

Stacy Hipsak Goetz

Arlington Heights