Iowa Parents Demand More Safety Measures and Transparency in Wake of School Shooting
Several parents in Perry, Iowa, expressed their concerns and demands for increased preventative measures and transparency during a school board meeting held on Monday. This comes after a deadly school shooting took place earlier this month, resulting in the critically injured Principal Dan Marburger’s untimely death.
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Grace Castro, one of the parents in attendance, criticized the school district’s policies, asserting that “lives were lost due to our lack of preventative measures.” She suggested the installation of metal detectors at school entrances, the implementation of a temporary remote learning option, and the enforcement of a clear-bag policy as minimum actions that should be taken.
These sentiments were echoed by numerous other parents, including some of the victims’ families, who have been voicing their concerns on the Perry Facebook page ever since the district announced its reopening plan last week.
Mark Drahos also addressed the board, requesting additional preventative measures. He acknowledged that it won’t be possible to please everyone but proposed ideas such as a single-point entry to buildings, a no-bag policy, and increased security measures like hall monitors.
Joseph Swanson emphasized the need for an enhancement of security measures and mental health support. He recognized that finding a solution to this problem is not easy but stressed the importance of addressing these issues.
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The school board meeting, originally scheduled for Sunday, had been postponed due to Marburger’s passing. His body will be escorted back to Perry on Tuesday, and funeral services are pending. Marburger was hailed as a hero by the Iowa Department of Public Safety, as he selflessly put himself in harm’s way to protect his students.
In response to the concerns raised by parents and the tragic loss of Principal Marburger, the district’s reopening plan has been put on hold until further notice. School officials are seeking guidance from law enforcement and safety experts and plan to have uniformed officers on-site as students return. Counseling services will continue to be available, and extracurricular competitions for middle and high school students will resume.
The teenage student who carried out the shooting died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities discovered a pump-action shotgun, a small-caliber handgun, and a rudimentary explosive device in the suspect’s belongings.
As the community mourns the loss of Principal Marburger and seeks ways to prevent future tragedies, Ahmir Jolliff’s mother, Erica Jolliff, emphasized the importance of treating the shooter, Dylan Butler, as a person and not resorting to bullying or name-calling. She called on the school district to review the events thoroughly and implement safety procedures to prevent similar incidents.
In conclusion, the Perry school board meeting brought together grieving parents and concerned community members who are demanding increased safety measures and transparency from the school district. The tragic school shooting has prompted a reevaluation of security protocols and a commitment to prioritize the well-being of students and staff..
