State superintendent candidate calls for volunteer security in schools

Matthew DeFour:

The challenger in the spring election for state superintendent of public instruction is calling on school districts to post volunteer security guards in schools to protect student safety.

Rep. Don Pridemore, R-Erin, issued a statement Thursday saying school boards "should be given the freedom to hire a competent, well-trained school official or employee who is experienced with applying force whenever force is required." He said retired or on-duty police officers would be preferred.

Many school districts already contract with local police departments to assign police officers to schools. Madison has a police officer assigned to each of its high schools.

Pridemore said the most cost-effective approach would be for districts to ask qualified, retired volunteers from their community to patrol.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at February 2, 2013 1:04 AM
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