Stoughton School Committee Candidates Discuss School Safety

After last Wednesday's "Definitive Debate" had ended, the four candidates for School Committee stuck around to answer one last question in a web exclusive video for Stoughton Patch.

The question: "In general, what is the importance of school safety and what can the school committee do to keep schools safe?"

Candidate Patricia MacNeil answered first saying she believes that the district is being proactive and that schools are safe. She said diligence is a key to keeping students and faculty safe. 

Incumbent School Committee member Joyce Husseini said she is happy about the recent addition of safety resource officers. 

Debra Cote said she agreed that the Stoughton schools are safe. Cote said she is in favor of the ALICE active shooter response program where students and teachers are taught how to survive a potentially dangerous situation at a school and lead others to safety as well. She also said she would be in favor of more safety resource officers at the schools.

Dr. Carol Brown said that school safety is everybody's job. She said that there should be safety drills done, much like fire drills are done.

The candidates also discussed traffic patterns and pedestrian safety within the school parking lots. 

Take a look at each candidate's full response to the question in the video posted in the media gallery. 

The four candidates are vying for two spots on the Committee. Election Day is Tuesday, April 30. 

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The full debate was taped by SMAC and will air on Verizon Channel 28 and Comcast Channel 9 at the following times: 

• 7 p.m. - Monday, April 29
• Noon - Tuesday, April 30