Secure Our Schools supports safe and secure schools in the Okemos Public School district, starting with locked doors during the school day and the installation of buzzer/camera systems to facilitate entry when doors are locked. We support Superintendent Zachery-Ross’s proposal to implement these measures and urge the Okemos Board of Education to approve the proposal at Monday's Board Meeting (3/26).

Locked doors serve to keep people out who do not belong in our schools, while still allowing those who have business in our schools to enter. They give teachers and students peace of mind so they can focus on education. This move is not guaranteed to stop all individuals who may wish to do harm to or interfere with our children, teachers or other school staff, but it will serve as a deterrent for some and will add precious minutes to the time our first responders need in the event of an emergency.

Locking and securing doors is not new, nor is it uncommon. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 93% of public schools in the nation control access to school buildings by locking or monitoring doors during school hours. Law enforcement agencies at the federal, state and local levels (including our own Meridian Township Police and Ingham County Sheriff’s Office) advise that securing external doors is one of the best and most cost-effective ways to improve school safety and security.

It is becoming clearer every day that we cannot take school safety for granted in Okemos. We need action now - we call on the Board to approve these basic safety measures at Monday's meeting.

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