BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. - It was a night of open dialogue from seven different panelists with seven different expertises. They ranged from a physiatrist who talked about mental health in connection with gun violence, to a former teacher who knew the classroom inside and out.
"I don't think there is any way you are going to be able to predict every situation," said one parent who attended the forum.
In an audience full of concerned parents sat the Meehans, their son attends Burnt Hills High School. "Burnt Hills is pretty open but they have someone watching the door," said Harry Meehan.
Meehan says his major concern wasn't about security itself; it had more to do with how to prevent tragedies like Sandy Hook. "Mental health issue side of it. It doesn't seem like any one has a plan to deal with that," he said.
Some parents had their questions answered directly by the panelists. They asked questions about how to pinpoint a troubled student, and had some questions regarding the recent gun legislation passed in the state.
The state police was also on hand to tackle questions about what they are doing in response to the recent gun violence we've seen. "We will suggest if schools don't already have a plan of front door security to implement that," said Trooper Mark Cepiel with the NY state police.
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