In a decision that was definitely both a head scratcher and an anxiety builder, the Green Bay school board voted against weapon detection systems this week. This after a gun was found at a local school earlier this year (story HERE).

Let’s go back and absorb that again.

After Green Bay school leaders found a gun in their schools, they looked at a system that would have prevented it from happening again, and they turned that system away.

For an organization dedicated to learning, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of growing from previous mistakes taking place here.

The board seems intent on exploring other options. I like that they implemented clear backpacks. And these detectors would have been another step in the right direction. But it’s not going to happen.

Instead, we’re right back on the island of uncertainty.

I’m curious to see what these other measures to keep our kids safe will be explored after this proposal failed. Especially, since the board and many of the people in the orbit of this conversation are forgetting a big point.

Violence in schools is not stemming from our classrooms. Our teachers are doing everything they can. But instead, violence in our schools comes from bad parenting in Green Bay homes. Its an uncomfortable truth, that no one wants to talk about.

Perhaps, its the ex military in me. Or maybe its the fact that I don’t gain satisfaction from doing nothing. But problems are usually solved when we make a plan and take steps to eliminate the problem.

And I’m not sure what steps we’ve taken by turning away these detectors.