Student Walkouts Pose Safety Risks: Montgomery Schools Leader

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The head of Montgomery County Public Schools posted a letter Thursday discussing school safety and the walkouts orchestrated by Montgomery County students in the wake of last week's shooting at a high school in Parkland, Fla. Superintendent Jack R. Smith said he strongly supports students who "engage in the civic process and share thoughts on the issues they are passionate about," but expressed concern with the walkouts that occurred Wednesday.

"While we support student advocacy, leaving school property poses a significant safety risk, especially in light of the increase in school threats," Smith said. "MCPS does not have the staff or resources to ensure students are safe during the school day when they are not on a school campus. It also poses a safety challenge if schools are required to evacuate and we cannot account for all students because they have left."

Students from Richard Montgomery, Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Blair rallied at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, along with students from other suburbs and Washington, D.C.

On a Facebook post, student organizers wrote: "All people in this country, particularly children, should feel safe and should not live in fear of a gunman killing them in their school, place of worship, or a nightclub. We expect our leaders to do whatever is required to keep us safe. That has not happened."

See Related:

• Montgomery County Students Walk Out, March For Gun Control In DC
• Bomb Threats Reported At 2 Montgomery County High Schools
• Student Who Brought Gun To School Had More Weapons At Home
• Online Threat Toward Northwest High School, Student In Custody

In his letter, Smith also addressed the increase in threats and reports of threats at Montgomery County public schools since the Feb. 14 tragedy. At least six schools in the county have received threats since the shooting.

"These threats and reports have come in the form of social media posts, emails, phone calls and in-person conversations," Smith said. "While most of these threats have proven not to be credible, we take each report seriously and work closely with the Montgomery County Police Department to investigate."

Smith also highlighted the emergency preparedness and security protocols in place at the County's schools.

>> Read Smith's letter here.