LEWISTON — School Committee members discussed the idea of having a law enforcement presence at schools this week and ideas about how to increase safety in city schools during Sunday’s emergency meeting.
Superintendent Jake Langlais laid out plans to reopen city schools after shutting them down Thursday, Friday and Monday following a mass shooting at Just-In-Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar & Grille.
Ward 2 committee member Janet Beaudoin said she would like to see a stronger police presence at schools to give herself and other parents more piece of mind. She also suggested that schools implement a random backpack search policy, or something of the like.
“Right now our city is kind of broken and I know parents are fearful about, you know, putting their kids back in school,” Beaudoin said. “From the parents that reached out to me, we’re really looking for just something that makes us feel a little bit safer sending our kids back into school.”
Langlais said schools are not prisons and implementing searches and other such measures usually does not shift the level of safety. He thinks it is reasonable to consider increasing security cameras. He agreed to reach out to the Lewiston Police Department about making a presence at schools this week.
Ward 6 School Committee member Meghan Hird said it is also important that all school staff be up to date on district safety trainings.
City Council representative Linda Scott said if there is a police presence in schools, it should be one where they are having positive interactions with students, but she also does not want to put more pressure on a department that is already spread thin right now.
She is willing to seek funding for school projects that will increase safety from Rep. Jared Golden, Sen. Susan Collins or Sen. Angus King, of whom have assured her they will work to get the city needed funding in the wake of the shootings.
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