COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – In light of the recent mass killing of students in a Florida school, Branch Intermediate School District Superintendent Joe Lopez told the district’s Board of Education this week that Coldwater Director of Public Services Mark Bartell will be speaking with local school officials Friday about their plan for school security.
Bartell is the head of a task force on school building security which includes members of fire and police departments, the Sheriff’s Department and 911.
Lopez says when these tragedies happen, there tends to be copy-cat incidents especially when the shooters picture is shown and their background is discussed. Something like that gets into the mind of a person who is thinking about doing the same thing.
While some have made threats on social media in jest, Lopez says school threats are nothing to kid around. Such threats could lead to a long prison sentence.
According to Lopez, the most important thing for educators is to make sure students are safe at all times.
