Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Buffalo Catholic Diocese is moving forward with its plan to place armed security guards inside all 29 elementary schools.
"The safety and security of our kids is of paramount importance to us," said
Catholic Schools Superintendent Joleen Dimitroff with WBEN on Wednesday.
The district started planning for the change shortly after the church school shooting in Minneapolis on Aug. 27 that left two children dead and injured 21 others.
"We were already looking at safety plans," said Dimitroff. "Our principals have already met for a full day of training on emergency response. The shooting certainly changed things. We learn something from every school shooting. This is an extra layer of protection for our students," she added.
It may take time before each school has a full-time security guard in place.
"We're looking at this as a long term commitment. We're going to do it right.
Our new safety consultant has already started. He's reviewing our safety plans with each principal."
There was a time when armed security in school was alarming to parents.
Not anymore, according to Dimitroff.
"I can tell you that overwhelmingly the response has been very positive.
I'm extremely proud to be able to offer this caliber of protection to our kids
that they have in public schools," she said.
Dimitroff, who was named Superintendent in June, was asked what if any action the schools are taking with respect to a possible vulnerability when kids leave the classroom to attend mass each week in church. The mass is often open to the public as well.
"Some of our schools actually have tunnels and hallways that lead directly to churches. Conversations are underway to decide if they are going to hold masses in gyms or auditoriums. But I do think we're ready to get back to some sense of normalcy with a heightened sense of security," Dimitroff said.
Dimitroff also explained that some schools have contacted local law enforcement to help them stay vigilant as they transition to the new security guards in the Diocese.