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Northfield public commenters urge youth engagement on gun safety; speakers report outreach progress
Summary
Two community members told the school board that they are pursuing youth engagement, safety training and partnerships to address gun violence as a public health issue and described early steps with local organizations.
Two community members addressed the Northfield Public School Board during the public comment period on Aug. 10, calling gun violence a public-health issue and describing local outreach to students and organizations.
Karen Mader, identifying herself as a district parent and grandparent, described recent contacts with community partners to advance youth engagement and a student pledge on safe firearm handling. Mader said she had connected with Emily Culver at HCI, who is expected to bring the idea to youth who will serve on the mayor’s youth council in August, and that she had spoken with John Mahal about a coach for a championship shooting team. “I just see such value in getting youth buy in to this,” Mader said.
Rich Graves, another public commenter, described personal and historical experiences with gun violence and urged the district and community to examine contracts with vendors who have provided armed personnel on campus. Graves suggested the district review such contracts to determine whether money could be recovered from a vendor; he did not name a specific contract in detail.
Board chair read the district’s public comment guidelines at the start of the period, reminding speakers to limit remarks to three minutes and to avoid naming specific students or staff.
Neither Mader nor Graves proposed a formal board action. Board members did not take a formal vote or issue a directive during public comment; the board proceeded to its announced business items after public comment concluded.
