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In 2004, Michael Bennett, then a special education teacher at Columbia High School near Albany, New York, encountered a life-altering event when a student entered the school with a shotgun, fired rounds in a bathroom, and roamed the hallways. Bennett was wounded while assisting in subduing the student. This incident profoundly influenced his perspective on school safety.
Proactive Safety Initiatives
Now serving as the superintendent of Greenville Central School District in New York, Bennett has implemented comprehensive safety protocols. He provides quarterly safety updates to the community and conducts annual briefings each September to inform students about the district’s security procedures. Bennett emphasizes the importance of balancing vigilance with practicality, ensuring that safety measures are both effective and appropriate.
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Comprehensive Safety Audits
To further enhance security, Bennett is collaborating with Jaclyn Schildkraut, executive director of the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium, to conduct a thorough school safety audit. This initiative aims to identify potential vulnerabilities and implement evidence-based strategies to mitigate risks, reflecting Bennett’s commitment to creating a secure learning environment.
