PTO Discussion on Polling Places and Student Security

Tonight we'll discuss parent's concerns about having the schools wide open during election days, compared to the effort devoted to student security during the rest of the year.  This discussion comes in response to several parent's voiced concerns and the school boards inclusion of the question on a recent parent survey about school scheduling next year.

We'll discuss the following letter, and vote on whether to send it to the district school board and administrative staff.  We'll also discuss other options available.  The next school board meeting is next Monday (12/16) at GHS in the Library, and if you consider this an important issue, we would appreciate you attendance there too.

Letter to the Greendale School District:
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December 12, 2013

Greendale School District

6815 Southway

Greendale, WI 53129

Dear Greendale School District Administrators and School Board,

With the anniversary of the tragedy in Newtown Connecticut upon us, the safety of students, their teachers and school administrators is on many parents’ minds.  While we are confident that safety is a priority for the district, and confident that generally the students are in as secure environment as possible, there is one glaring issue of concern:  election days.

We would like to express our appreciation to the district for including this issue in the recent school schedule survey that was made available to parents online, and are very happy to see that the school district is looking into closing this distressing gap in school security.  We also hope the school district understands the urgency and significance this is due.  It’s safe to say that if the events in Connecticut had happened on a Tuesday in November, this would already be solved. 

In the school schedule survey, three options were presented to parents:  1) Request that the Village of Greendale move voter polling locations, even if this inconveniences some residents; 2) Arrange the calendar to have days off for students on known election days; 3) Assign Village staff to manage voter traffic in the schools on election days.  As a PTO we would like to recommend the school district prioritize the first two options.   No matter what Village staff are managing traffic, the simple fact is that if the doors are open, anyone can get in.  Furthermore, separating the polling from the students’ school days will not only make it safer for students, but will also make it easier for staff to do their job of educating and developing our future without having to worry about or cater to strangers in the classroom.

And while adjustments can be made to the 2014-2015 school calendar, we would also like to urge the school district to look into what can be arranged for the three election dates remaining during the current school year (12/17/2013, 2/18/2014, 4/1/2014) all of which fall on days when students are in class. 

We understand there are many demands on your time and resources.  We also feel that the safety of our students should be a priority amongst those demands, and thoroughly appreciate your continuing resolution to share that priority with us.

Thank you again for considering this issue.

The Highland View PTO