Dear Franklin Parents,
Last spring, a group of parents decided to take action on removing voting in our schools. For several years, this has been an issue of great concern to families, teachers and administrators, because on voting days, absolutely anyone can walk in the unlocked doors of the Summit Public Schools, no questions asked, no ID needed, and roam thorough unsecured hallways near where our children are learning. In light of the recent uptrend in school shootings and violence, opening our schools to the general public is a potential tragedy waiting to happen. While there have been many discussions regarding this issue, there has been no action, and with the 2016 Presidential election on the horizon and the thousands of voters descending on our schools for that, the time to act is now.
Towns including New Providence and Berkeley Heights have moved, or are in the process of moving, voting out of the schools with the full support of their Boards and their local governments. Unfortunately, the situation in Summit is different. The superintendent and Board of Education have addressed this concern numerous times, but have not been successful in bringing it to a conclusion. It is apparent that it is now up to the parents and taxpayers to get something done, which means meeting with Summit’s Common Council. The petition we circulated last spring garnered more than 650 signatures and many thoughtful comments, and we are hoping to reach at least 1,000 signatures before we present it to the Council this October.
The following petition asks the City of Summit to proactively work to decrease the risk of a tragedy by agreeing to better secure our schools and remove them as polling locations. If you haven’t already done so, please read the petition, and if you agree, sign it. If you’ve already signed, it, please pass along to other local friends for their signatures. We, the parents, our children’s first protectors, are now the last resort in this debate. Please join us in letting the “powers that be” know that our children deserve to be safe every day of the year, including on voting days.
Sincerely, Concerned Parents of Summit, NJ
The petition can be viewed and signed at this link: http://www.change.org/p/
