I find it interesting to note the credentials of those leading the debate and discussion over removing the police from schools. As far as I can tell, no principal has been in favor of such a move.
This retired principal presided over a high school for 14 years. My main responsibility was to see that a quiet, peaceful and safe environment was maintained so that student learning and the educational process could take place.
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During my tenure, I had the pleasure of working with several police officers stationed at my school. They became valuable members of the school family and helped maintain order and discipline. They were all professional, personable and related well with the students.
Most discipline problems were handled by school personnel, however there were occasions when student conduct would become so unruly, disrupting the educational process and endangering student safety, that the officers added backup was a big help.
A principal has control over the school personnel, including school officers. When they don’t perform. He or she can make a change.
Ned L. McCray, Retired principal of Simeon High School in Chicago
Thanks, Ken
Four words: Thank you, Ken Griffin.
Though it’s vogue to bash rich people, Griffin is giving $5 million to repair Chicago’s lakefront bike paths. That’s in addition to all the other money he has donated to the city.
He doesn’t have to do that. But he does.
So thank you, Ken Griffin.
William Choslovsky, Lincoln Park
Who’s serious about police reform?
The tremendous outpouring of support for Black Lives Matter has spurred action in Congress. The Democratic House, as laid out in a new proposed bill, would outlaw or sharply curtail certain dangerous police practices. Republicans in the Senate, on the other hand, want to set up a commission that could drag on its proceedings until the issue is forgotten.
This is a terrific strategy for capturing the police vote in the upcoming election, but may find pushback from the millions who marched.
Lee Knohl, Evanston
