Worcester County, MD - In any community, the safety of our schools should be a non-negotiable priority. Once a place where education and personal growth were the brightest beacons, some institutions now face a tarnished reality, marred by incidents of violence, lack of safety, and misconduct. 

The focus on this issue has intensified this week, between Law Enforcement and the Board of Education, leading to profound discussions about whether our educational leadership genuinely prioritizes the welfare of students and staff or if there's a more troubling narrative at play. 

The Worcester County Board of Education finds itself at a critical juncture, with ample scrutiny from the Worcester County State's Attorney Kris Heiser, Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli, and most of all, concerned parents. 

Accusations have surfaced that the board's unwavering focus on maintaining its overall reputation has blinded it to significant safety concerns within our schools.  

In a press conference held on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli and Worcester County State's Attorney Kris Heiser questioned the lack of action from the Board of Education after multiple reports of misconduct and violence within schools. 

These troubling revelations resulted in a press conference today, March 1, 2024, in response to Crisafulli and Heiser, where Superintendent of the Schools, Lou Taylor, and Board of Education member Todd Ferrante led the presser. 

During today's press conference, Taylor and Ferrante acknowledged a troubling trend-school crime rates are on the rise. They may not agree with the exact numbers, but regardless, they acknowledged the fact that crime is on the rise in the schools, which is what both Crisafulli and Heiser stated in their press conference.

Whether the increase is 5% or 50%, the fact remains, that crime in our schools is on the rise, and the safety of our students and staff should be a main concern.

The sense of urgency that should have spurred a swift response was instead met with a bureaucracy-laden mandate of a strategic plan to unravel the 'root cause' of these issues. But, do we really have extra time to spare-years where our children's safety remains in jeopardy? 

The time is now, and actions speak much louder than just words. The safety of our children needs to be a priority, not something that is put off and neglected in favor of a strategic plan, that could take years upon years to implement. 

Lou Taylor's resolute stand that even a single instance of aggression in schools is unacceptable is a refrain that falls hollow, given recent revelations about the district's history of sweeping severe incidents under the rug, such as the recent charges in the case of the State of Maryland vs. Ronald Davis. 

The same institution that claims the commitment against violence is steadfast is one that reeks of institutional apathy when it comes to taking disciplinary action against the very educators who betray this commitment.

The clash of narratives is particularly evident in the Board of Education's refusal to participate in a joint press conference that would have highlighted what actions have been taken to address safety concerns. 

Instead, the public is offered vague reassurances without the transparency to support them. It appears that the priority has, unequivocally, shifted towards damage control rather than safeguarding the very essence of our educational system-its students and staff.

At this juncture, the path forward is clear. Lip service will no longer suffice. It's time for the Board of Education to take concrete, measurable steps to ensure that safety in our schools is not simply a bullet point on a strategic plan released years down the line. 

Each day that passes, without decisive action, places another group of students and staff at potential risk.

We call on the Worcester County Board of Education to set aside diplomatic words, and disagreement of numbers, and to demonstrate a palpable commitment to the safety of all within the school system. 

Whether it involves heightened security protocols, the stricter enforcement of disciplinary consequences, or the empowering of students and faculty to report suspicious activity, tangible change is imperative.

This is not a singular voice of dissent but a collective echo rising from the lips of concerned parents, teachers, and students. We understand that change within systems is slow, but the nature of the issue at hand affords no leniency to the process. 

Safety in our schools is a universal prerogative, not a bargaining chip in political or institutional grandeur.

In conclusion, the position is clear. The Worcester County Board of Education now faces a decisive moment, one that demands a choice between the superficial maintenance of public image or the substantive, enduring protection of our educational sanctuaries. 

It's time for them to choose-reputation or safety. The clock is ticking, and our students can't wait.