ADMINISTRATORS LIKE TOUGH LAWS ON SCHOOL VIOLENCE

Although violence doesn't pose an overwhelming threat in area schools, administrators across the region support a push for tougher state laws to decrease school violence.

"It has not been a serious problem at Schultz but I could see in years to come it becoming more of a problem," said John Eck, principal at Louis J. Schultz School in Cape Girardeau. "We live in a rural area and don't have those kinds of problems, but the potential is there."

Last week Gov. Mel Carnahan announced the Safe Schools Initiative, a collection of proposed changes in Missouri law intended to combat school violence. The governor will present the proposed legislation to the General Assembly when it convenes Jan. 3.

"I think some of the issues he is grappling with are not as critical to those of us in outstate Missouri as to those in urban areas," said Dr. Howard Jones, superintendent of the Jackson School District. "But I also think there are some issues about violence in school settings even in rural areas."

A key provision of the Safe Schools plan calls for making all assaults -- even third-degree assault, currently a misdemeanor -- committed against school personnel felonies. The law would apply to assaults against all school employees from principals to janitors, as well as students.

Jones said a clear message needs to be sent that violence against school employees will be treated seriously by the judicial system. At a district in which Jones previously worked, such violence often went lightly punished.

"If someone is trying to do their job and another person gets mad and attacks them, that person should be dealt with in a very serious way," he said.

Another important aspect of the plan includes allowing for better communication between schools and juvenile authorities.

Although a law went into effect in August to allow greater access to juvenile records, juvenile authorities for so long have been required to keep those records closed that some feel little has yet changed. A portion of the Safe Schools package is intended to clarify what may be shared with schools.

"Juvenile authorities I've worked with weren't sure of the full implications of the law," Eck said.

"I think there needs to be more openness than there is. With more cooperation we may be able to effectively deal with disturbed students," said Eck.

Jones said sharing of information is often a one-way flow. Schools, since they are required to, usually are pretty good about providing juvenile authorities what they ask for; however, schools receive little information in return.

People are still adjusting to the new juvenile law, Jones said, and it is too soon to tell if it has had any impact. But he doesn't blame anyone for being cautious about what information they reveal about students.

"We are all skittish about the privacy of student records," Jones said.

Dr. Dan Steska, principal of Perryville High School, feels juvenile authorities have been very cooperative.

"I cannot think of any time when that has presented a problem for us," he said. "I think our communication lines have been good both ways."

Improved sharing of student information between school districts is also addressed. One provision would require that disciplinary records follow students when they change schools. If teachers and administrators know a student's background, steps can be taken to prevent potential problems.

"If you have a behavioral-disordered student and you don't know that he has a history of sexual assault and you put him in a regular classroom, you are asking for trouble," Eck said.

Although he supports the intent of the legislation, Jones said laws aren't enough.

"Passing legislation to cause students and others in society to be punished more severely won't change the causes that brought these things about," Jones said.

"... One by one we have to teach our children respect for each other. We can't look for a political solution to a social problem."