While this editorial is not going to make us popular at the High School, we agree with the temporary security measures enacted by the new GCHS principal, Hank Hardy. Due to recent bomb threats made during lunch periods, Mr. Hardy restricted students from leaving the building during the school day.

For decades, seniors have enjoyed the privilege of leaving the building during their free periods or at lunch time. As we ourselves recall from the early 1980's, seniors who had newly minted drivers' licenses were in great demand to drive friends on speedy trips to nearby eateries (with an emphasis on “speedy.”) While it was lovely to be able to get away for those short breaks, at the time we did not fully appreciate the risks both we and the school district were taking. We think it may be time for a discussion of those risks.

If a school district is responsible for minors during school hours, and one of those children leaves the school grounds with the permission of the administration and is injured, would the district not have some legal liability?

Insofar as Mr. Hardy's policy of regulating the flow of visitors to the school, this again may be a policy who's time has come. Again, we wonder if the district would not be held responsible if someone entered the school with evil intent and harmed the students. In our own experience visiting schools in other communities, it is standard procedure that visitors must sign in and wear badges. Indeed, the Garden City Board of Education requires the public to sign in to the building when it holds its own public meetings. Shouldn't the students at the high school have the same level of security?

Meg Morgan Norris

Publisher