Since the start of this school year, there has been a substantial surge in threats and heightened concerns regarding school safety within Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), particularly evident in MCPS High Schools. A series of alarming and threatening events, including bombing threats sent to numerous schools in the county, marks this increase, affecting schools across the entire county.
Fear is increasing amongst parents and students, and concerns are arising in countywide administration. Richard Montgomery senior and the current Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB), Sami Saeed, has been pushing for improved safety policies within MCPS to ensure safety.
Saeed’s proposal plans to expand student ID checking and implement security technologies and other procedures. The bill, unanimously voted to be approved by the Montgomery County Council on Nov. 9, 2023, highlights the importance of students feeling secure. To highlight the importance of this, students testified their experiences of the increase in violence in school.
During an interview, Montgomery Blair junior Sam Ross explained her reasons when asked about her motivation to testify in support of the bill: “We’ve had plenty of fights and lockdowns…I know how disrupting these things can be, so I wanted to focus on communication and supporting school security staff.”
In an interview, Saeed mentioned his motivation for the bill’s proposal to the results of a poll on students’ experiences of school safety in addition to his own. “Last year at my school [Richard Montgomery], students from other schools and even former students came into our building, once armed, which prompted me to see safety incidents firsthand and make a commitment to do something about it if elected SMOB.”
The bill additionally plans to address substance use in schools, which has also been an increasing issue. Earlier this year, during a round table discussion, delegate Joe Vogel said, “The drugs we’re now finding in our high schools are stronger and deadlier than ever before…”. The bill will address this by elevating the monitoring of restrooms and implementing appropriate response methods.
Saeed’s proposal includes Montgomery County prioritizing safety measures. Ensuring they are an important step in ensuring the safety of the county’s students and staff. If implemented, these measures have the potential to make a real difference in their daily lives.
Written by Efratha Tewodros of Paint Branch HS
Photo Courtesy of Montgomery County Media