Over the summer, an upgrade in two-way communications in area schools was
part of the on-going effort toward safe and drug-free schools. According to
Miller Hall, director of pupil services for Raleigh County Schools, the
elementary schools are now up to par while the junior highs and the high
schools are well-established.

Two-way communications can include telephones in classrooms, video cameras
in hallways or administrators with two-way radios.

Although it is important for there to be two-way communication systems in
place in the event of emergencies, Judy Thomas, assistant principal of
Beckley-Stratton Junior High, is quick to note that technology itself is
not going to ensure safety in schools.

"We witnessed that as a country with what happened at the World Trade
Center and the Pentagon," said "We are the most advanced country in the
world as far as technology and it did nothing to prevent terrorism."

By the same token, as commentators expound on the need for the human
element to be involved in the efforts to combat terrorism, the same holds
true for safety in schools.

"The human aspect is going to far surpass technology in keeping our
students and our staff safe," said Thomas.

Beckley-Stratton, like other schools in the county, believes in a proactive
approach to school safety.

"My thought has typically always been that the best way to have a safe
school is to have excellent instruction first," said Principal Ron Cantley.
"When we have purposeful classes, effectively delivered instruction and
before-the-bell to after-the-bell instruction, school is far more likely to
be safe."

Security at school will not come from technology or a tough-minded bullying
approach to discipline, said Cantley.

"In my view it lies in the faith of the community and effective families
and parenting. We have been working a long time in our community developing
students who are competent, well-behaved, good people."

A technologically strong school begins with supplementing a watchful
faculty and staff already in place.

"If you didn't have the people in place watching ... our idea here is to be
proactive ... to prevent problems from occurring. The technology is
supplementing what has already been in place," said Thomas.

At Beckley-Stratton, video cameras are stationed in places where large
numbers of students gather - the gymnasium, the cafeteria and large hallways.

"It (the camera) is mainly used after the fact. If something occurs, we can
go back and see how it occurred," said Thomas.

All administrators throughout the county have two-way radios assisting
constant communication in their school. In addition, some schools even have
telephones in each classroom.

The ability for quick and easily accessible communication can be crucial in
some circumstances.

"I think that it is imperative that at any given time we can reach a
teacher and at any given time they can get in touch with us," said Thomas.

Student perception of the schools' ability to maintain control and safety
is equally important.

Knowing the capability the school has to supervise in and of itself can be
a deterrent in addition to the opportunity to show students what actually
happened or how a problem began, said Thomas.

"If we are just looking at student problems, the most important aspect of
the security is the human element. You have people in place where you need
them. You have to have people there prior to them being needed. That in and
of itself is important," said Thomas.

Schools that have highly visible teachers are likely to have students that
feel safer to move about the building.

"If they don't feel safe, it impedes the educational process. Student
safety has got the be one of the main goals, if not the main goal." said
Thomas.

While the human element and technology are important, there is a third
element to safe and drugfree schools that complements the mix.

"You have got to look at programs that are making a difference as far as
how our students react. Peer mediation, PACT (positive alternative choice
training), and life-skills training - all of those things, especially at a
young age, will only benefit everyone somewhere down the road."

Peer mediation programs works toward students learning to solve problems
and situations for themselves or by involving a mediator. PACT and
life-skills training are programs that teach students what alternative
choices are available and how to make good decisions for themselves.

NOTE: Levy money allocates $100,000 for safe and drug free schools
equipment each year. $43,000 has been allotted for the new Trap Hill Middle
and Shady Jr. High's schools two-way communication equipment. $57,000 will
be used throughout the county to further update schools.