Montgomery Co. Board Of Education To Weigh In On Florida School Shootings

John Matthews
WMALcom

ROCKVILLE — The Valentine’s Day shootings that killed 17 people at a Parkland, Florida high school have prompted local school boards across the country to review their security policies. Just last week, Fairfax County School Superindentendent Scott Brabrand ordered a top-to-bottom review of security, and the School Board followed with a resolution asking Congress and state lawmakers to take immediate steps to make schools safer through gun control measures.

The Parkland shootings are sure to be a major topic of discussion when the Montgomery County Board of Education meets on Monday, but the county is already deep into a review of security measures that was ordered last year in the wake of an accused rape at Rockville High School.

Montgomery Superindendent Dr. Jack Smith ordered the internal safety and security review after two undocumented students were accused of attacking a girl in a high school bathroom. That case was eventually dropped when evidence emerged that the sexual encounter was consensual.

The review of “MCPS protocols, practices, and infrastructure related to the critical imperative of maintaining safe, orderly learning environments for all students” initially looked at high schools individually, and then was later expanded to include reviews of middle and elementary schools.

The 2017 internal report noted that every school is equipped with front entrance cameras that allow school personnel to see visitors before they enter the buildings.

School officials plan to review emergency procedures and possible modifications to training programs in the wake of the Parkland Tragedy.

One subject that may or may not come up in Monday’s meeting – the February 21 walkout of more than a thousand students from at least seven high schools in the county. The teenagers left their campuses in a coordinated trip to the U.S. Capitol to protest in favor of more federal gun control measures. The school system has already announced that students who walked out will have their absences marked as “unexcused.”

Board president Michael Durso says one topic that is likely to not get much traction is the notion of arming teachers.

“Quite honestly, I don’t see much sentiment for that right now,” Durso told WMAL.