SRO support: Decision put safety as priority in city schools

The decision by the Wayne County Public Schools to ask for a little extra help with some problems at one of the city's schools was exactly right on target.

And the quick reaction by the Goldsboro City Council and the Goldsboro Police Department is equally as wise.

The request for the additional help comes after an incident with two fifth-graders at a middle school that ended in two assaults on personnel.

And that is a concern that should be taken very seriously.

But there is another factor to consider as well.

The students.

Young people who are at school to learn and who want to feel safe while doing so have every right to expect that the district would react swiftly and decisively to concerns that violent encounters with students are increasing.

If putting school resource officers in several city and county schools helps, then it should be a top priority -- with no bickering over money.

Safety of our community is every single government body's Job 1. And if there is a way for those boards to assist the schools, they need to take action immediately -- just like the council.

We feel certain there is money that could be reshuffled to that end.

That is how you prevent a real tragedy.

Published in Editorials on March 4, 2015 11:50 AM