Levy passes and security enhances
Due to the 2013 levy passing security will be enhanced at the high school and both the junior highs. There will only be one big change, there is going to be a remodeling of the front entrance to the school. This will allow security personnel to keep a closer eye on who enters our school and for what purpose,” said Principal Don Johnson.
January 27, 2014
On Nov. 4, 2013, eligible voters within the Stillwater School District voted and approved a renewal and an increase of an operating levy 63 percent to 37 percent. Increasing school safety and security add to one of the main issues to be addressed.
The increasing security will bring a better environment into the classroom leading the students to feel safer.
Junior Anna Swanson explained,“Bringing these new safety regulations to life next year will really help improve the sense of security throughout all of the schools in the district. I think it is really important for student to have that extra sense of security during the day because one never knows what might happen. It’s always nice to know that someone is there protecting you so you do not have to worry about taking care of it yourself.”
Many changes will be taking place at the high school.
“There will only be one big change: there is going to be a remodeling of the front entrance to the school which will funnel visitors into the area presently occupied by the school bookkeeper and receptionist. This will allow security personnel to keep a closer eye on who enters our school and for what purpose. This remodeling is going to result in changes to several offices in the front of the high school, near the principal’s office,” said Principal Don Johnson.
Although the students may not be directly affected, the visitors will.
Johnson explained, “Actually, the changes being made will affect the students very little; they are geared primarily toward those adults and visitors who come to our school after the start of first period each day. It may give some students a great sense of security since they will know that people visiting the school will be monitored more closely.”
The police officers will be able to take different distribution routes around campus and will not have to constantly focus on the front entrance.
“It will be different walking into the doors of the high school that have been the same for so long my senior year. I am happy that the levy has passed and that schools will now be able to further the security of their students. I am interested to see what the money will bring,” said Swanson.
The school will be modified to meet modern needs.
“Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest differences. We built this building to allow freedom, and we have to take that away. When we learn, we change, and we have had to change due to what other communities have experienced,” said assistant principal Mary Leadem Ticiu.
Safety regulations and security measures will taken into action during the school year of 2014-15.
Orjana Stepien • Feb 19, 2014 at 3:10 pm
This article was really nicely written. You included important information including the new regulations being explained in the article itself and in the quote from the principal himself. I like how you got the quote from him. It was new information to me and I was well informed on the topic! Good job!
Alex Weil • Feb 19, 2014 at 5:09 am
This article was a nice follow up on the topic of the levy.
Lucy Langmack • Feb 19, 2014 at 3:09 am
This article was really informative and paid attention to detail. I liked how you put emphasis not only on the action taking place by the levy passing, but the students opinions since it will mostly affect them! Great job!
emily ness • Feb 18, 2014 at 1:57 pm
I really liked your introduction. You incorporated many important facts. Quotes were embedded nicely. I thought it was awesome that you interviewed the principal. Great article! Nicely done!
Dan Strand • Feb 18, 2014 at 2:10 am
Nice job explaining the new regulations. The quotes from Don Johnson were very descriptive and enhanced the story. It was also nice to see that some of the links were directly to the Stillwater website.
Fiona Montie • Feb 16, 2014 at 11:09 pm
Nicely composed article – informative to students and parents. I like how you present the information in an easily readable manner and assure the safety of students.
Chase Lau • Feb 16, 2014 at 9:05 pm
I agree that this article was a nice followup on the levy. I liked how you had some points about what to expect right from Dr. Johnson, as well as the nice picture accompanying the article. Although the headline left me questioning more than informed (Something for the online editors to work on for next issue).
Madison Engstrum • Feb 10, 2014 at 7:57 pm
Great to see a follow up on this topic. I liked hearing about all the changes that will take place and finding out how much it will actually effect students. Also good to hear what the principal had to say about all of these changes.