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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Gonzaga University: Join us for discussion on school safety

By Vincent C. Alfonso and Jacob H. Rooksby Gonzaga University

It seems that each day we read, hear or otherwise learn about some type of violence that has taken place in our nation’s K-12 schools, colleges and universities. Sometimes it is mass shootings, other times it is the increasing rates of suicide or bullying, and at other times microaggressions and mean-spiritedness.

No matter its expression, violence in all educational settings impacts everyone. The quality of instruction our educators can provide is diminished when they and their students experience significant fear and anxiety in the classroom.

At the same time, privacy laws, the Second Amendment and other legal regulations are complicating factors that many believe perpetuate a climate that permits expressions of violence in all educational settings to continue unabated. Ours is the nation that has the dubious distinction of leading the world in acts of violence in educational settings. Concerned community members rightfully wonder why and ask themselves what can be done to reverse these dangerous trends.

As deans of Gonzaga University’s School of Education and School of Law, we are pleased to be facilitating a community discussion on the important topic of “School Safety: Shared Responsibility for a Safer Future,” to be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday in Gonzaga University’s Hemmingson Center.

Serving as keynote speaker at this important community discussion is Kristina Anderson. Kristina was an undergraduate student in French class at Virginia Tech University in April 2007 when an armed gunman entered the classroom, injuring Kristina and killing several of her classmates. The tragedy ultimately took the lives of 32 people, making it the deadliest mass shooting on a college campus.

Kristina has dedicated her life to educating the public about safety in education and has become a notable victims’ advocate in the national media. Kristina will facilitate discussion among a talented group of local professionals working in our K-12 schools and for the rights of students everywhere.

Panelists will include Debra Clemens, superintendent of North Thurston Public Schools; Leon Covington, threat assessment coordinator for Educational Service District 101; Vanessa Hernandez, director of youth policy for ACLU-Washington; Ed Richardson, campus resources officer for Spokane Public Schools; and Luke Thomas, teacher at Mt. Spokane High School.

We do not claim to have easy or ready-made answers to this nationwide crisis that has affected so many communities, including our own. By tapping into the experience and expertise of our keynote speaker and panelists, we hope this event will raise awareness of the manifold possibilities for enhancing the safety of all students in K-12 schools and beyond.

Few societal problems seem simultaneously so simple to solve and yet so difficult to accomplish. We hope to see you there.

Vincent C. Alfonso, Ph.D. is dean of the School of Education and Jacob H. Rooksby, J.D., Ph.D. is dean of the School of Law at Gonzaga University.