Get Schooled

By security?

November 4, 2008 6:51 AM | Link to this

Schools spend a lot of money on security systems. The schools my children attend are locked during the school day and all visitors must ring a bell and be “buzzed in” by school staff. Visitors are required to sign in at the school office. Additionally, schools practice “intruder drills” at least once each year. Either this level of security is necessary, and allowing the schools to be open to voters during a school day potentially endangers children and staff, or we are wasting both money and time on an unnecessary level of security. You can’t have it both ways. If security is necessary, it is necessary every day - including election day. If it is acceptable to allow the general public to enter the school building without any security considerations, then it is acceptable every day and we can stop wasting time and money on school security. Those school systems that have opted to remain open today are admitting that all of their security precautions are for dramatic effect rather than actual security.

By TnT's mom

November 4, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

I can see both sides. It can make parking a nightmare if the school is in session, but I have also lived in other states that did not close school, and all worked out fine.

By Meme

November 4, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

I am glad that no voting takes place at our schools and that we can be in session. I have explained to several of my students why we are in school when others are not and they seem to understand. Of course, sixth graders are glad for any excuse to get out of school and sometimes this teacher is too. lol

By HB

November 4, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

If not logistically difficult to be open, I see no reason to close schools. When I was growing up, we always had voting on campus and it was no big deal. We just had to enter the gym/bandroom through different doors to bypass the polls. No biggie.

By Vicki

November 4, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

With our school system being closed today, my 2 boys went with me to vote. I call that the best Civics lesson available. We only had an hour wait. That is the shortest time I have ever waited to vote in a Presidential Election.

By The Real Reason

November 4, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

The real reason schools close is to give teachers a chance to get out their and vote the democratic ticket.

By for the record

November 4, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

The Real Reason - teachers had to work today - only the students had a day off - at least in my county, which goes pretty red.

By Martina

November 4, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

To Real Reason - if that’s why the schools close, it would be the first time anything is done for the convenience of teachers! It was pretty quiet at my school after 10, but trying to get buses and car riders in this morning would have been a disaster. When I went to school at 7:00, the line was hundreds of people long, and people were parking on sides of street and the grass. I don’t know how buses would have gotten close to the school. Maybe if they had delayed the start of school until the early morning rush, we might could have managed it.

By love my 4 kids

November 4, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

Our home school was open for business as usual. Voting was easy today; it only took about 15 minutes. We especially enjoyed helping Star Bucks and Krispy Kreme to committ “felonies” by partaking of their free coffee and donuts. It led to a great discussion on Georgia law! LOL