2024
School Safety
The topic of school safety is multi-faceted: from school shootings to mental health and everything in between. What can we reasonably do to ensure our schools are safe for all students?
- School Climate: no tolerance for bullying, foster respectful behavior, recognize the value of every individual and welcome all contributions. Consider removing cell phones from our schools to reduce bullying, promote better mental health, and improve student engagement.
- Drug and Alcohol Free Schools: Zero tolerance, work toward eliminating drugs in our schools through a combination of education and drug testing for activities.
- Defense in depth to protect against the possibility of an active shooter: school resource officers, conceal carry for qualified staff, physical security measure in all buildings, protocols that are understood and practiced, training for staff and students
- Comprehensive Risk Assessments to identify threats and vulnerabilities
- Anonymous Reporting System: continue the use of Safe2Tell Wyoming tool to receive anonymous tips
- Mental Health Resources: Ensure students in crisis have access to the help they need
Conservative values supporting families:
- Parental Duties and Rights
- Excellence in Education
- Transparency and Accountability
- School Safety
2022
COVID-19
In general I find our position in regard to Covid-19 in Wyoming, and in Fremont County, to be very good. Currently our county is experiencing an increase in cases. Although this increase could not come at a worse time as we are just starting school. County Health has advised the cause of the increase is due to “recent situations where social distancing and other health guidance are not being adhered to.” My own understanding is that a large percent of the recent increase was due to a single event where precautions were not taken. I have every confidence that as our schools open we will be following health guidelines for sanitation, social distancing, and masking.
According to the CDC, as of August 20, 2020, Wyoming ranks 9th best in Covid-19 cases per capita (594 per 100k) and 5th best in deaths per capita (5 per 100k).
https://www.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases
According to Medscape, Wyoming ranks first in pediatric cases at 16.6%. This seems to align with the data from the state that shows Fremont County with 22% of cases occurring in people under 19 years old (see graph for Fremont County). Of the 13 deaths that have occurred in Fremont County, none has been a child. Currently Fremont County has only 1 hospitalization (as of August 27, 2020).
Looking at this graph it is no surprise that Wyoming is doing so well in the cases per capita and deaths per capita categories. If you compare the chart above to the chart below detailing deaths by age group you will see that they are almost the exact inverse. It would seem that Fremont County is doing an excellent job of protecting our most vulnerable, the elderly.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm
Of particular importance (as shown by the light blue line) the chart above shows that people under 24 years old have close to a zero chance of dying from Covid-19.
Based upon all of this and other relevant information, I do not believe that our children face any particular risk from Covid-19. But in order to protect our children from the slight risk they face with Covid-19 and, more importantly, to protect our staff and administrators and the community at large, each of our school buildings is implementing every reasonable precaution. When social distancing is not possible, masks will be worn. In some cases plexiglass will be used to enhance separation. Other precautions will be implemented as soon as they are available (filtration, etc.).
The District’s Smart Start Plan follows all the relevant guidance and was prepared in consultation with county and state health officials. We intend to follow the CDC, state, and county guidance to social distance by 6 feet whenever possible and to wear masks when that is not possible. The decision to open in Tier 1 was made in consultation with county health.
Covid-19 is not the only concern we need to address when considering opening or keeping schools closed. Recently the CDC released a statement about the importance of opening schools reminding us that schools meet the following critical needs for students:
-provides educational instruction
-supports the development of social and emotional skills
-creates a safe environment for learning
-addresses nutritional needs
-facilitates physical activity
In this same statement the CDC said “The best available evidence indicates that COVID-19 poses relatively low risks to school-aged children. Children appear to be at lower risk for contracting COVID-19 compared to adults.” And the seasonal flu appears to pose just as much risk to children as COVID-19. “Scientific studies suggest that COVID-19 transmission among children in schools may be low. International studies that have assessed how readily COVID-19 spreads in schools also reveal low rates of transmission when community transmission is low. Based on current data, the rate of infection among younger school children, and from students to teachers, has been low, especially if proper precautions are followed. There have also been few reports of children being the primary source of COVID-19 transmission among family members. This is consistent with data from both virus and antibody testing, suggesting that children are not the primary drivers of COVID-19 spread in schools or in the community.”
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/reopening-schools.html
I believe closing schools poses a greater risk to many of our students than they will face with Covid-19 when school opens. Closing our schools will have a far greater adverse impact on the most at risk students in our district. Many will suffer from loss of educational achievement, access to nutrition services, and a decline in mental health. For some these could be life long deficits.
For some members of our community sending their children back to in-person school is not the best choice. I fully support and fully expect that each family will evaluate their particular needs and risks and make the decision that best fits their unique circumstances. For most that is in-person school, for some that is the virtual option being offered by the district, and for some it means an online academy or home schooling.
I strongly believe that our schools need to open and remain open so that families have the option of sending their kids to in-person schools. The precautions that we will be taking will mitigate the risk to students, staff, and the community.
Violence in Schools
My background in law enforcement has given me a unique perspective on the board as we have discussed and addressed issues of security in our schools. We live in an era where terrible violence has been visited upon schools in many communities in our country. Last year, before I was a member of the board of trustees, our district adopted a policy allowing certain staff to carry concealed firearms in our schools, policy CKA. Although I do not believe that it was anyone’s intent, the process as a whole was very divisive. Of course this is not unique to Lander. Guns, gun-control, how to make schools safe in this era of school shooters are hotly debated topics all across the country. I don’t think it was a surprise to anyone that many members of our community have formed strongly held beliefs on every side of these debates. I have heard many express the feeling that the board did not hear their concerns. I don’t believe that after 22 months of discussion and debate anyones’ mind was going to be changed. The board did an excellent job of researching the issue, listening to concerns from all sides of the argument, and crafting a policy that will make our schools a safer place. Our district is going to continue to face challenges as it works to implement this policy. If elected to continue to serve on the board I will draw upon my professional experience to help ensure we do things in the best interest of our students
Scott Jensen 