by Dennis Dalman
news@thenewsleaders.com
Sartell City Council member Ryan Fitzthum wants to start a committee that can explore proactive ways to promote school safety and to prevent school violence.
Fitzthum raised that issue at the March 12 City Council meeting.
Citing the recent tragedies of school shootings, Fitzthum said that Sartell schools and the police department have done a “phenomenal” job in securing school safety. However, Fitzthum said he believes the community discussion should continue with lots of input from the schools, the police department and Sartell residents.
“We want to be sure we are all backing that (school safety) so that it’s not just a school issue but a community issue,” Fitzthum told the council.
Fitzthum said he has raised the issue with the school superintendent, the chair of the school board and city staff.
“We’re looking for the best way to move the conversation forward,” he said.
The school and city, Fitzthum suggested, should start thinking about forming a joint committee in which all good ideas and suggestions (a “public conversation”) could be shared and implemented to reinforce safety in the schools.