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Local educators talk school safety with state senator


Local educators talk school safety with state senator
Local educators talk school safety with state senator
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YAKIMA, Wash. - Washington Senator Lisa Wellman is speaking with local educators about ways to improve school safety.

Wellman said she wants to find out what's working, what isn't and what else needs to be done.

"It is about guns and physical safety but it is also about the fact that we have 30,000 kids in the United States committing suicide," she said.

Wellman said they want teachers to be aware of the kids who are feeling like outsiders in their schools and what can be done to help them feel included in the community.

However, school leaders said it's also important for all schools to be aware of potential physical threats.

"Here's how you should handle strangers coming into your building," Wellman said. "Are you really paying attention or not. Then empower the staff to say 'who are you, what are you doing here' and making sure that the school is being controlled."

Wapato Superintendent Becky Imler was a part of the conversation in Yakima Tuesday afternoon. She said she's glad some in the state Senate care about this issue and said she would like to see more financial support from the state.

"Certainly the financial aspects and just the overall need for resources on a variety of needs that are associated with safety," Imler said.

She said typically her district uses their levy money to fund the extra safety precautions or programs and would like some help.

Wellman said she is aware that money is key and she hopes she can be a voice for schools in the Senate to get them funding for what they really need.

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