Debates are raging about school safety in the wake of the Florida school shooting that left 17 people dead. While much of the debate has centered on the weapon used, Louisiana Association of Educators President Deborah Meaux says schools need to be investing more in social work programs to help troubled students.
Reports indicate the confessed Florida shooter Nikolas Cruz was a troubled person with noted mental health issues, and a mother who had just passed away. Meaux says a robust counseling program could have identified those problems as a possible indicator of trouble.
But Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says when state budget cuts come in, one of the first things on the chopping block tends to be social work programs.
Carter says along with an increased investment in counseling programs, we need to be taking a look at improving the layout of schools to improve security.