A group of Barrington parents shared their concerns and asked plenty of questions about school security during a special forum on Wednesday night, March 29.

Some parents asked administrators if they considered installing bullet-proof glass at the schools.

Others asked if officials kept a watch-list of students who had displayed troubling behavior. 

And some asked if the schools would consider hiring more staff to support students' social and emotional needs.

The forum featured a panel of speakers: Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore, Town Manager Jim Cunha, Police Chief John LaCross, Police Officer Kevin Igoe, School Resource Officer Josh Melo, School Psychologist Lee Markowski, Middle School Principal Andrew Anderson, Sowams School Principal Jim Callahan and High School Principal Joe Hurley.

Mr. Cunha told the audience members that safety and security was not just a school issue or a municipal issue, rather a community issue. He also said Wednesday night's discussion was not intended as a forum on gun control or the Second Amendment.

Mr. Messore shared a detailed account of how the topic of school security has changed over the years. He said the school department is constantly reviewing and updating its security and safety protocols, and also works hard to support students' social and emotional needs.

Communication is also important, he added.

"You see something, you say something," said Mr. Messore. The superintendent said students, staff and all community members need to work together to alert law enforcement to potential problems or concerns.

Mr. Messore also told parents that the district trains students and staff to use the "ALICE" response in the case of an emergency. ALICE stands for "Alert, Locate, Inform, Counter, Escape."

Officer Igoe later explained that the ALICE technique offers more options, such as empowering people to defend themselves. A local mom in the audience said her son had practiced a lockdown drill at school earlier on Wednesday. She said he picked up a chair, which he planned to throw. She added that he probably needed more instruction.

Mr. Messore said students and staff have shown much improvement over the last few years during their lockdown drills. The superintendent and members of law enforcement check the schools' responses during the drills and administrators will meet with teachers after school to share critiques.

Security cameras

Mr. Messore said the district is considering increasing usage of security cameras at the schools. 

In addition, Chief LaCross is calling for more security cameras and a live-time feed from those cameras to the police station. He said the police station is manned 24 hours a day, which could offer improved monitoring for the schools. Chief LaCross also said he would like to see the schools add more security cameras at school entrances, inside school hallways in the parking lots.

Mr. Messore and other officials are looking at making some physical changes to schools. They are investigating building locking vestibules or "traps" at the building entrances. Those traps would allow school staff to better identify people who are trying to enter the buildings.

A parent in the audience asked if officials had considered installing bullet-proof glass and doors at the schools. Mr. Messore and Mr. Cunha said that change would be very expensive, although schools did install special shatter-proof film to the glass which offers an increased level of security. 

One parent asked if officials had considered installing metal detectors at the high school. Mr. Cunha replied that metal detectors were not an effective response. Another parent asked if schools' interior doors are locked during the day. School principals answered that the doors are locked, although they often need to remind teachers to keep the doors closed, especially during the early fall and late spring when classrooms can become warm.

Social and emotional

A few parents spoke about their concerns for students' mental health needs. One woman asked if the schools had enough staff in that area. 

School officials said they are constantly monitoring the social and emotional needs of students. Mr. Messore added that parents need to be part of the process and questioned whether students' behavior was being identified and addressed at home.

Mr. Anderson said middle school staff works hard to encourage a safe, supportive environment and uses the "trusted adult" message. He said staff and students are told to report anything right away that raises their concern. 

Mr. Callahan said students at Sowams School practice mindfulness, which helps them monitor and address their own feelings and behavior. At the high school, students can send a digital message to school officials if they have a concern or worry. 

A parent asked if school officials have developed a watch list of students who have exhibited troubling behavior, and if the schools are able to communicate with one another. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Callahan said there are support systems in place and digital resources which keep track of students who have had behavior issues or other similar issues. 

The grandmother of a local elementary school student said she had attended a town meeting at one of the schools and asked how school officials are able to monitor who is admitted for the events. School officials said office staff workers are required to buzz people in, as exterior doors are locked. Some school officials said they know most of the people who attend the events, although office staff needs to check with all people before they are allowed in.

Barrington Police Captain Dino DeCrescenzo said the department follows up on all leads shared with police. He said the department investigated five school security-related incidents in February alone, and he implored the community to share any concerns or tips they may have. 

Mr. Cunha said keeping the community safe goes beyond one specific thing: "The answer is a mosaic," referencing everything from improvements to public buildings to better communication.

Future forums

Officials were scheduled to hold another community safety forum on Monday, April 7 in the Barrington Middle School library for parents of middle school students. Also, a presentation by Lynn Lyons, a specialist in the field of children's anxiety issues, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, May 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Barrington High School.