Dear Editor:
The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills School District consists of fourteen schools (ten are Elementary levels) and only two are covered by armed security. The current Mayor and School Board have not provided our children with suitable security measures.
As a concerned parent armed with common sense and a calculator, this level of protection is not only ineffective, but disgraceful. Our Mayor’s office and School board haven’t done what’s necessary to enact the protection all of our children deserve. I had enough of the political double talk and nonsensical justifications. There’s a simple, thoughtful plan that’s not only feasible within our budget, but also backed by Chris Christie’s task force that encourages and gives schools permission to hire armed SRO’s (Security Resource Officers) in all fourteen Parsippany Schools.
This plan isn’t my idea so I’m no innovator. This solution and the push for school-wide security coverage have been presented at nauseam by Robert Peluso, Parsippany Council Vice President. He continues to preach to the Mayor and School Board that we should hire Class III retired police officers to protect all of our children. This is not a political endorsement as I don’t know the man. I’ve watched him plead for our children to be protected and watched the current administration do nothing. My only goal is for all of our children to be safe in school.
Mayor Barberio, his Administration, and our School Board need to be held accountable for putting 75% of our kids at constant risk. Furthermore, whomever is elected this June, the primary focus should focus on prioritizing our children and our families. Honorable people with integrity should have found a way by now. Perhaps it’s in the works? No matter who is elected, let’s collectively be proactive rather than reactive.
A Concerned Dad
Mal Maher
