Newtown Superintendent Speaks At NJ Conference On School Security
EDISON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The school superintendent of Newtown, Conn. was in New Jersey Wednesday to speak with school officials about security.
Superintendent Janet Robinson told the New Jersey Association of School Administrators that it's important for districts to come up with an emergency plan if they haven't already.
Newtown Superintendent Speaks At NJ Conference On School Security
"It's important that when we do a security plan, that it doesn't sit on the shelf."
But Robinson said it's important for educators to balance the need for keeping kids safe at school with giving them the freedom to learn.
"Some of these things will give the message to students that they're only safe if there are all these fortress-type things available," she said.
The Dec. 14 shooting at Newtown's Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 children and six adults dead has sparked debates about gun control and discussions about school security, including the idea of arming educators in schools.
Association Executive Director Dr. Richard Bozza said New Jersey's schools are well-prepared for most emergency situations, but said they are "certainly not prepared well enough."
Other speakers at Wednesday's conference included the director of New Jersey's Office of Homeland Security Edward Dickson, director of New Jersey's Office of Homeland Security Anthony Bland and other local law enforcement officials.
