sco
enthusiast
Posts: 2715
Loc: allen,TX USA
Reg: 10-26-02
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06-02-09 08:44 PM - Post#86857
In response to Robin L
There is always a trade off when it comes to security. We could make the schools look like armed camps and they might be safer but I wouldn't want my children there. I have heard numerous complaints this year about the new security rules chasing parents and volunteers away. Other people think the security rules are too lax. There is no answer that will please everyone.
From my personal perspective I am happy with the security at my children's schools with one exception. I worry about kids moving in and out of the portable buildings. There is absolutely nothing stopping somebody from driving up and grabbing a kid or a kid deciding he/she didn't want to be at school that day and just taking off or some kid picking on another kid outside. They do have security cameras but they are monitored at the high school. I'm not sure what the answer is other than to get rid of the portables but I worry about my kid being out there next year.
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wetvet
enthusiast
Posts: 582
Loc: Allen
Reg: 02-26-07
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06-02-09 09:41 PM - Post#86861
In response to sco
What a thought provoking topic. While I do not have a great suggestion on how to make the schools safer, I will say I have to commend anyone who feels as passionately about this topic as the OP does.
I had a shop teacher once who had a padlock on the door to the toolroom cage but the top portion of the door was open. I asked him what good the lock did if you could still reach through with some effort and grab the tools. He replied "Sometimes a lock is the only thing that keeps honest people honest. Criminals will steal regardless." In an odd way this might apply here. If the doors were locked, it might dissuade someone who might be semi-unstable from creating a disasterous situation at one of the schools. Someone who really wants to get in, will find a way.
I have one child at AHS and 2 children at one of the Middle Schools and obviously I pray that nothing like what has been mentioned ever happens to them. However, it has to be in the back of the mind if something does happen that the OP was right, was there more that could have been done to make it as safe as possible while still maintaining the integrity of a quality learning institution.
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Robin L
enthusiast
Posts: 838
Reg: 12-19-07
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06-02-09 10:52 PM - Post#86864
In response to wetvet
If the doors were locked, it might dissuade someone who might be semi-unstable from creating a disasterous situation at one of the schools. Someone who really wants to get in, will find a way.
Very good point.
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Brewer
enthusiast
Posts: 1421
Reg: 06-02-07
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06-02-09 10:54 PM - Post#86866
In response to wetvet
Thanks for the kind words folks!
VRS your use of my name in a response on this board is a little uncalled for. I don't have anything to hide but that is information that you had access to only due to your position on the board. You seem just a hair vindictive and that's the tone I have received from the entire AISD since I started trying to correspond with the board back in October of 2006 so I should have expected no less. DAN
A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.
-GEN George S. Patton
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vrs
enthusiast
Posts: 2861
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 04-20-00
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06-02-09 11:42 PM - Post#86868
In response to Brewer
Actually, you yourself told me your name in a message on this board about a year before any mail to the team of 8 and I often use first names.
Your being on TV at the board meeting notwithstanding, I'll go back and edit the earlier post as you are displeased at the use of your first name.
I have tried to be respectful to you and your views in my posts - but also I finally felt the need to set the record straight on the repeated "ignored" accusations because it can color perceptions of the Board on so many other topics.
Now returning the thread to the regularly scheduled topic.....
| Raisin cookies that look like chocolate chip are the reason I have trust issues. |
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Brewer
enthusiast
Posts: 1421
Reg: 06-02-07
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06-03-09 12:23 AM - Post#86870
In response to vrs
I first wrote the board in October of 2006 (It's still on my PC) and the receipt was confirmed via e-mail, I first registered here in June of 2007. You dates simply do not add up. Tell me, how many times should a constituent have to try to open a discussion with an elected board and over exactly what period of time? DAN
Parts of this e-mail were redacted to protect the PRIVACY of some AISD employees. That's just how I roll.
>From: [email protected]>To: "Dan Subject: Re: Security At Elementary>Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2006 15:22:41 -0600>>Mr. ->>Thank you for taking time to write the Team of Eight concerning security at> Elementary School.>>Your suggestion is one of several the school district is examining in a>review of security procedures this fall. No decisions have been made at>this time.>>I will forward your note to Dr. , assistant superintendent>for administrative services, who is handling this review. I will also>forward your note to the Board of Trustees as requested.>>>>Public Information Office>
A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.
-GEN George S. Patton
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Edited by Brewer on 06-03-09 07:19 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Retired 1
enthusiast
Posts: 1168
Reg: 02-20-02
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06-03-09 06:03 AM - Post#86873
In response to Brewer
You basically lost all credibility when you said they ignored ALL of your emails and then it's proved you were responded to.
Champion your cause but don't puff or exaggerate. Honesty is the best policy.
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Brewer
enthusiast
Posts: 1421
Reg: 06-02-07
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06-03-09 06:18 AM - Post#86874
In response to Retired 1
The e-mail was received by the PIO but never responded to by the board. The PIO is not a decision maker. An e-mail telling me when a board meeting is going to occur is not addressing the content of an e-mail either. An e-mail confirming that an e-mail was recieved is not an answer. Was there correspondence of a one way nature? Yes. Where there ever answers to my concerns? No. I asked earlier is this thread of VRS why SHE never responded while she was in a position to do something.
A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.
-GEN George S. Patton
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Edited by Brewer on 06-03-09 06:56 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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sco
enthusiast
Posts: 2715
Loc: allen,TX USA
Reg: 10-26-02
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06-03-09 08:12 AM - Post#86876
In response to Brewer
You've just proven the point that you did get a response you just didn't get the response you wanted to hear. Just because somebody doesn't agree with you does not mean they didn't hear you. There is a process in place for citizens to try to influence district decisions. It sounds to me like the process was followed. I do understand that what you want is to sit down with the board and have a protracted discussion so you can make your point. There is a strong possibility that doing that would violate open meetings rules. Additionally, the board members generally have full time jobs in addition to their board duties. It is not really realistic to expect them to meet personally with every citizen that sends an email. The system allows for citizens to send email and address the board at public meetings which is exactly what you did.
Edited by sco on 06-03-09 08:19 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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teamtopdog
enthusiast
Posts: 138
Reg: 12-15-07
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06-03-09 03:08 PM - Post#86909
In response to Retired 1
 
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Brewer
enthusiast
Posts: 1421
Reg: 06-02-07
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06-04-09 11:33 AM - Post#86961
In response to Retired 1
So if I correspond with you and tell you I have a house to sell and you respond "I got your letter and I understand you have a house to sell." Is that a response? No, it's simply an acknowledgment of my message.
I understand that you and TD want to sell houses and the fact that there is no security at the schools may cause people to choose other places to buy. That is part of why I am aggressive here. If you have a problem with that consult the Constitution or the owner of this site.
I have never had any meeting with any member of AISD other than the superintendent many months ago regardless of what VRS infers. The superintendent did send me a follow up letter that was simply a reiteration of what we discussed. Still no dialog and no action.
When I became disgusted there was an e-mail from a very new member of the board that ensured me that she knew I thought there was a problem but still no dialog and no action from the board.
It appears now after nearly three years there may be some plans in the works for substainally what I desired in the first place so I don't care what any citizen of Allen thinks about me regarding this. I have been the Dirty Dog for AISD since this started and now maybe that can stop. Thanks for all the messages from those of you that support this plan. Again, no plan is perfect but don't let perfect be the enemy of the good. Goodbye
A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.
-GEN George S. Patton
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Edited by Brewer on 06-04-09 11:42 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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chf
enthusiast
Posts: 576
Loc: NW Allen
Reg: 12-22-07
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06-04-09 11:54 AM - Post#86964
In response to Brewer
the fact that there is no security at the schools
Again, here is the problem I (and others) have with your approach. THERE IS SECURITY AT THE SCHOOLS! Just not as much as you (and probably others) would like. If the district put in exactly what you would like done, I guarantee there would be someone else screaming just as loud that it still isn't enough.
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tobywong419
member
Posts: 26
Reg: 05-28-09
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06-07-09 02:27 PM - Post#87086
In response to Brewer
Dan,
There appears to be a lot of misdirected anger here. As in our previous correspondence on this site, you have opened with a gripe, met little community support, and then turned things personal.
Perhaps a more effective method would be to listen to the input of others, and consider the possibility that your original assertion might not be without room for improvement.
A fair portion (one might even go so far as to say a majority) of the folks who have posted here seem to be saying either:
a) I'm fine with school security as stands.
or
b) I'm not fine with security as stands, but I'm not sure your idea will really help.
So not a lot of consensus here, but that's ok. We all have our opinions.
Now we hit the "the school board ignored me argument" when, in point of fact, you later said they did not. They just didn't answer your question in the precise way that you wanted. Also ok, I just might not have misrepresented it were it me.
Furthermore, through all of this, it looks like you are getting what you want. I'm not convinced that your personal charisma and charm were the difference makers, but your cause appears to championed successfully. Put one in the "W" column for smoke and mirror security.
I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.
| Excuse me, Mr. Pink, but I think the last thing you need is another cup of coffee. -Nice Guy Eddie |
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Brewer
enthusiast
Posts: 1421
Reg: 06-02-07
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06-07-09 02:31 PM - Post#87087
In response to chf
What security is there at the schools?
A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.
-GEN George S. Patton
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Brewer
enthusiast
Posts: 1421
Reg: 06-02-07
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06-07-09 02:34 PM - Post#87088
In response to Brewer
Toby Wong. I can see that you responded but I have you on ignore.
A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.
-GEN George S. Patton
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sco
enthusiast
Posts: 2715
Loc: allen,TX USA
Reg: 10-26-02
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06-07-09 03:03 PM - Post#87089
In response to Brewer
What security is there at the schools?
I understand that no matter what I say it will not satisfy Brewer. I will answer for the benefit of other people reading this thread. I'm just a parent so I don't necessarily know all of the security features. What I see on a daily basis include the following:
The side doors are kept locked at all times.
The front door is monitored by a receptionist and visitors are required to sign in and run their driver's license through the Raptor system.
They have security cameras in and around the school that are monitored at the front desk and by security officers at the high school.
Staff members are trained to ask questions of people who are in the school.
They have SRO officers assigned to be on call to the schools.
The system may not be perfect but it is not nothing.
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LisaMay
enthusiast
Posts: 145
Loc: Allen TX USA
Reg: 08-08-01
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06-07-09 03:33 PM - Post#87091
In response to sco
I will only add that even Allen ISD maintenance personnel are required to sign in when they enter a school. These are people with shirts on that say, "Allen ISD Maintenance" and school ID badges on. My children are now at AHS, and I've never heard of any issues at any of the schools in Allen. I've never been concerned about security at the schools, but that's just me.
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vrs
enthusiast
Posts: 2861
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 04-20-00
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06-07-09 11:33 PM - Post#87118
In response to LisaMay
The one circumstance I am aware of was when an irate parent was let in through a locked side door by someone in the building "being nice" and not making them walk all the way around.
They did not make it into the classroom for a confrontation because the teacher - per standard procedures - had the door locked.
Storefront had nothing to do with it, but the second layer of physical security served the purpose.
Brewer, it may or may not occur to you, but by ignoring Toby Wong you prove his point.
| Raisin cookies that look like chocolate chip are the reason I have trust issues. |
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campbellfam
enthusiast
Posts: 1849
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 07-12-02
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06-08-09 10:15 AM - Post#87131
In response to vrs
I also know that the teachers have to sign in and out when ever they come and go from their campus.
I have seen teachers and other staff escort individuals to the front of the school if that person doesn't have a badge.
And let me just say that I have often found that tight security can often lead to complacency; "The security's so good, it will take care of our safety" We often get into trouble when we depend on others to take care of us- the best security is when technology is just a support system to good, diligent staff and volunteers.
If you don't believe me, check out some reports about air travel security...
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csquare
enthusiast
Posts: 627
Loc: Allen
Reg: 01-16-08
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06-08-09 10:27 PM - Post#87189
In response to Brewer
I can think of plenty of schemes to gain entry to a school that have nothing to do with the front door. I think you'd only be kidding yourself to "secure" the front door in the way you propose.
Also, I have visited many schools in three local districts for various reasons. Yes, the suspicion level with unknown visitors does vary from school to school, but all of them only required a moderately plausible explanation to buzz me in anyway--whether or not they were expecting me.
Has anybody out there ever been completely denied access to any school in any district?
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