The Ohio Education Association is weighing in on school violence prevention.
"We strongly believe that there must be a comprehensive approach for communities and for educators and all the stakeholders to come together for expanding and improving the safety of their communities and the safety of their schools," said OEA President Pat Frost-Brooks.
Frost-Brooks admits that most plans are contingent on funding, but recommends that funding should not be limited to training for teachers and administrators. She says bus drivers, secretaries and cafeteria workers are often the first ones who might notice problems, such as bullying, that could lead to violence in a school.
"They, too, need to have the training for bullying prevention for our students so they can reach out in a confidential way," said Frost-Brooks.
The statewide teachers' union is urging Congress to take action, but Frost-Brooks says they're looking beyond gun control, lobbying federal lawmakers to find money for anti-bullying programs as well as access to mental health facilities.
