Personally, I lean more towards Marc's view. We all have to live in this world and cannot due so in abject fear.
I think it makes sense to use schools as polling places, as long as you can take reasonable security precautions. Many schools are laid out so that the polling area can be restricted to the initial foyer without allowing anyone near the classroom area.
As public buildings, our schools are often underutilized. Plus, I think it's good for children to see the political process in action.
The bottome line for me is that, of course, security should be considered, but if reasonable precautions can be taken - then it's a good use of public space.
Serendipity: Thanks for your comments. Our school board is taking it seriously in our district and has added it to their agenda this Monday at the school board meeting. Our community is in the suburbs in the Midwest. We feel safe and have very, very little crime, but, this issue has been raised and made us take a good look at safety on election day for children. We don't expect to move polling sites, and legally, we can't this close to the election. That's not our immediate intent. Our immediate concern is to either have schools closed that day or to take a hard look at security and accessibility in the building and on the playground during recess on election day. Another school in our district has been working on this issue for many months and getting nowhere. So, they really got the media involved this week in the hopes to get schools closed. I'll let everyone know what happens after that meeting. But, I wonder if this should be a national issue? Close schools every election day?
Rocket....My suggestion to you would be to round up other concerned parents and go to a Board of Ed meeting and present your case. There is no reason why they cannot give the kids off from school that day. It is the easiest way to solve the problem. You can also speak with the superintendent.
Marc...Of course voting is politics. What I meant was that her concern for the childrens safety was not coming from a political place or motivation. I agree 100% that moving a voting place 10 days before an election is insane and should not be done.
momof2gals:
That is how our debate started..."these are our neighbors voting." But, how do you know that neighbors/community voters are the only ones coming into your school building? Couldn't anyone, just walk into the school, like they were going to vote? Your building security is different that day; wouldn't you agree? Anyone, whether they are from your neighborhood or not can enter your school that day without a sideways glance as to their intent. The accessibility into schools, change on that day. That's why we are wondering about children's safety that day...
WOW, I had never really thought about it until I just read this? I guess how you feel about the situation depends on where you live.
We're in the midwest, a small historic community with the majority being elderly or young couples with small children.
Personally, I don't feel there is anymore danger with the voters than there is with some of our students parents. Our school, just this year, started to lock all the doors except the front one because two parents (not married and fighting for custody of the student) literaly got into a fist fight in front of this students classroom at dismissal on the last day of school????\
Now, if we were in a city district and not in in the "burbs" I may have a different view on the subject.
Like I said earlier, each opinion may just be based on the area you live in. We are actually looking forward to election day as our PTO is selling Krispy Kreme donuts to the voters as a fundraiser for the first time.
Times have changed and should we continue to mix polling sites with schools? Is this in the best interest of children's safety? Election boards can sign contracts with public places to provide convienent locations for voters. There are so many more options of facilities aside from schools, which is my point. I really don't think that people will not vote if their polling place is moved from a school to a library, grocery store, university, etc. There are so many more convienent options, all handicap accessible that could be contracted out. My point is that we put children at risk on election day...period. We throw out all of our security procedures for the day. It's not all about terrorism; it's about day to day security of the schools. If the schools facilities are a necessity by the election board, then should we try to get legislators to enact a federal holiday, i.e., no school on election day? If you do internet searches, you'll see that this topic is really not out there to research...that's why I am here posing this question to hear your thoughts.
