With the 2022 election inching closer each day, residents will be faced with a choice between two candidates for one available seat to represent Warren on the Bristol Warren Regional School Committee.

The two candidates are Kyle Jackson and Jarrod Hazard.

This is the second piece in a Q&A series running each week up to the election to give candidates a chance to answer a few pressing questions to help inform voters and provide insight into each candidate. Given there are only two candidates in this race, each was given a 250-word limit for answers.

Answers are direct quotes from candidates, with edits only for spelling or grammar.

This week’s question:

"Safety within schools is front of mind for students, parents, teachers, administrators, and everyone in the school community. What is one policy you would enact or support to bolster the safety of all within our school buildings?"

Jarrod Hazard
Fortunately, our district has been trying to improve the safety in our schools. For instance, at the high school, most doors are alarmed with the exceptions of the main entrances — they have a student resource
officer, and a head of security. In addition, they have a support staff of guidance counselors, psychologist and social workers.

I believe that the most important thing to continue to improve is our controlling the flow of persons in and out of our school buildings district-wide. We need to continue to make sure that the only people coming and going from the school are those that are invited or have business within the school. This does not mean that parents should be excluded from going to the schools, all parents have a right and a duty to know what is happening within our schools, but checking in (and out) is crucial in the event of an evacuation from any largely populated building for everyone’s safety.

Secondly, accountability is important, and as such, students who willfully make the school less safe should be held accountable in a clearly-defined code of conduct. As the school is supposed to be their safe space to learn and grow, asking them to take accountability for their actions should not only be required, but encouraged.

Kyle Jackson
While I don’t think one policy can solve the safety challenges schools across the country face, it’s critical to prioritize school connectedness. Creating a positive culture and sense of belonging has been shown to be the most effective way of increasing school safety on all fronts. This means building a culture where students believe that adults and peers within their school care about their learning and them as individuals. Research by the American Psychological Association and others suggests that students who feel connected to their school experience have greater emotional well-being and better academic outcomes. They exhibit fewer behavioral problems and are less likely to engage in violent behavior, drink alcohol, and use drugs. They experience lower levels of physical and emotional distress, which is important for students at risk of feeling isolated or alienated.

Recommendations suggest creating a culture where strong family involvement, trained and supportive staff, and inclusive curricula all contribute to a positive and safe learning environment. While improvements like locking doors during school hours, updating security systems, and evaluating building entrances are necessary, they are less effective if schools are not nurturing mental health, learning, and growth. Comprehensive safety strategies, combined with early alerts and engaging families throughout the process, will help us improve together.

Our district has begun this work through the five-year strategic plan. I support policies that strengthen climate, culture, and safety. Things like regular communication, dedicated therapeutic and support staff, ongoing professional development, and social-emotional learning initiatives benefit the whole district.