In response to the article “School Committee (Chicopee) public input speakers seek change” (published Sept. 12-18) regarding the use of school buildings as polling locations, Bowe Elementary Physical Education Teacher Kate Moss, at the Sept. 4 School Committee meeting, presented valid concerns for student safety during election days at Bowe School, a designated voting place.
As both a teacher at Bowe School and a constituent of the local community, I, too, share Miss Moss as well as other teachers’ worry for student safety. However, the suggestion of moving the voting site in efforts to mitigate safety concerns may not be the answer.
Rather, when primary or special elections are necessary, in-service days should be the course of action. In the event that in-service days cannot be scheduled, the election commission should post two city police officers at school sites — one positioned at the entry to the voting area and one inside the polling site. Both are pragmatic alternatives to moving the site and disrupting the voting process.
It’s important to understand the reasons why municipalities use schools as voting sites: schools are conveniently located across the district for voters — many of whom are elderly and may not travel longer distances to vote; schools are owned by the city, therefore there is no rent to pay by the city; schools have large, open spaces for the voting equipment; and school are handicapped accessible to most voters.
In addition to benefiting constituents, safely maintaining schools as voting sites provides students an invaluable glimpse of the democratic process in action. From 1st to 5th grade students, I have always brought my classes for a quick tour through the voting area — a real-life learning experience.
Harry Brandt
Chicopee
