Alexandria school board talks safety after fatal student stabbing, rash of mass shootings
The topic of gun violence and the tragic stabbing of a student in Alexandria City both part of the discussion for the Alexandria City School Board.
"This is the first time I've dealt with something like this," said Superintendent Dr. Gregory Hutchings. "I hope it's the last."
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The shooting deaths of 19 students and two teachers on a campus in Uvalde, Texas pulling the issue back to the forefront, and leading the school board to sign a new resolution on gun violence.
"When we talk about gun violence we need to discuss and to talk about just violence in general," said Hutchings. "Talking about how we all work to make to sure we don't have to have situations like this again. or worse."
The school system is currently working to align with its 2025 strategic plan, and changing policies and budgets to improve the safety and security of school, and to extend support for mental health.
Still, the superintendent said school districts can't address the problem alone, and the according to the resolution, political inaction is failing the children.
"One thing I do know is that our school community is not okay," said Hutchings. "I know that our students are not okay. I know that our staff is not okay. I know that I'm not okay."
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Back in 2019 the board signed a similar resolution against gun violence, but the numbers have only gotten worse nationwide since then.
Now, the school board is calling on Congress and the Virginia General Assembly to pass legislation that, among other things, regulates access to firearms, increases education efforts on gun ownership, and declares gun violence a public health crisis.
"These are young people," said Hutchings. "It's not a movie. It's not watching a news clip. I mean this is happening right here in our community."
