FILE – Brent Kiger, Olathe Public Schools’ director of safety service, displays a panic-alert button while students at Olathe South High School rush between classes, Aug. 19, 2022, in Olathe, Kan. The district introduced the buttons, which allow staff to trigger a lockdown that will be announced with flashing strobe lights, a takeover of staff computers and a prerecorded intercom announcement, at the start of this school year as part of $2.1 million plan to make district schools more secure. In the wake of a deadly elementary school shooting in Tennessee earlier this week, state lawmakers across the country are moving forward with school safety measures. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) Every June, Father’s Day brings time-honored traditions to households across America — cards scribbled with children’s handwriting, phone calls across time zones, and a moment to reflect on the immense joy of being a parent. But for any dad, the day also carries a foundational responsibility — protecting our children.
As fathers, we share a bond that transcends politics. We are united by an unshakeable conviction: every child deserves to feel safe in their classroom. Protecting that safety is our shared duty — the ground on which we stand together.
Today, we are not alone in our deep concern for children. According to the Pew Research Center, a staggering 70 percent of U.S. parents of K-12 students say they are actively concerned about the possibility of gun violence at their child’s school. No parent should feel a pit in their stomach when they drop their child off at the bus stop. No educator should have to scan the classroom for hiding places instead of focusing on lesson plans.
Thankfully, Congress and administrations from both parties have stepped up in recent years to make significant federal resources and safety grants available to schools nationwide. But a paradox has emerged. With hundreds of overlapping programs and an overwhelming flood of security technologies on the market, many school administrators are overwhelmed by options. Local leaders and school districts often find it challenging to identify the solutions that best meet their community’s needs, and even more daunting to navigate the complex federal application processes.
What is needed is a bridge between federal resources and local implementation. That is why we are driving the bipartisan bill, Preparing Leaders to Assess Needs (PLAN) for School Safety Act, into action.
Introduced alongside Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), this legislation focuses entirely on a “prevention-first” strategy. It cuts through the noise by ensuring the best and most useful information gets into the hands of district administrators, local communities and state-based professionals.
The PLAN Act provides targeted grants to establish or strengthen expert-led, state-based School Safety Centers. Rather than pushing rigid, one-size-fits-all mandates, the PLAN Act would help these centers provide customized consulting services to help local schools design, improve, and execute evidence-based safety plans tailored to their community’s unique environment.
Crucially, the PLAN Act ensures that trained professionals guide this safety planning. Dedicated school mental health professionals, such as school psychologists or counselors, will ensure that the primary focus remains on early intervention, student well-being, and building community trust. To keep the focus strictly on the needs of the kids, the bill also mandates the creation of a Youth Advisory Council, giving students and parents a direct voice in the safety policies that govern their daily lives.
From a practical standpoint, this is a cost-effective, high-impact strategy. By utilizing State School Safety Centers, districts will have the technical assistance they need. This means schools will finally have a structured, transparent way to identify early warning signs, evaluate potential risks, and implement proven mental health interventions long before a crisis ever materializes. It saves school districts from wasteful spending while ensuring every tax dollar possible is invested in solutions that genuinely protect students and educators.
The horror of school shootings and youth violence leaves no room for passivity. We can’t merely respond after the fact — we must act with fierce urgency to anticipate, protect and prevent. Our children’s safety demands vigilance, not hindsight and excuses.
This Father’s Day, as families gather to celebrate, millions of parents are looking to leaders in Washington to deliver peace of mind. The PLAN Act reflects the very best of what we can achieve when we set aside partisan division to focus on student-centered, evidence-based solutions.
No matter what divides our nation politically, we can all agree on this: our children’s lives matter more than anything. It is time to pass the PLAN Act and give our educators, our communities, and our families the tools they need to ensure that every school is a safe haven for the future of our country.
Mark Barden is the co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise and father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. Rep. John Rutherford, a Republican, represents Florida’s 5th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is a co-chair of the bipartisan House Law Enforcement Caucus, a former sheriff and father of Michael Rutherford and Lee Halford.
Add as preferred source on Google Tags congress Educators Father's Day Joe Neguse John Rutherford parentsCopyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Comments: Link copiedMore Opinions - Education News
See All
Opinions - Education How did basic literacy stop being a prerequisite for college? by John Mac Ghlionn, opinion contributor 2 hours ago Opinions - Education / 2 hours ago 
