To have safe schools we must address the violence in our community.

By Donald C. "Don" Wickham

Today's students are growing up in an adult world of violence. Schools have to deal with the violence our students bring with them. No school is immune.

San Jacinto's Schools are no more unsafe than most other schools in the state, but our students bring their problems with them from home. As a member of the school board we have personally heard every expulsion matter involving every student and know first hand the most difficult discipline matters our teachers deal with. The Board has adapted a zero tolerance for the uses of weapons, and has allowed only those students to remain in our schools who appear capable of following our rules.

As President Elect of the Riverside County School Boards Association I am now preparing a meeting for all of the school boards of this county next spring to discuss how safety can be improved for our students and to discuss the causes and cures of violence in our communities and in our schools, including the teaching of skills in conflict resolution and anger management.