THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 7, 1994 TAG: 9408060106
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 25 lines
Most students don't commit violent crimes, or any other kind. We tend to forget that in the barrage of reports about the increasing number and brazenness of youths who do. But remembering the kids who go to school to learn and don't get in trouble after school hours helps put the issue of individual privacy rights vs. school safety in proper perspective: When schools must choose between the two, a safe learning environment comes first.
Step one in establishing that priority was the legislature's approval of the Regional Superintendents' Safe Schools Task Force request that school officials be informed about students convicted of burglary, arson and offenses involving violence, drugs and weapons. Step two is using that information to get criminal kids out of classrooms where the other kids come to learn. Step three is keeping them off the street, occupied more constructively - or at least less destructively - than violence, drugs, guns, burglary . . . by CNB