Port-Saukville Not Only District to Consider End to Voting in its Buildings

As school officials inch closer to a formal vote on the end of voting in school buildings, Patch readers remain split on whether this was actually a necessary discussion.

"This is good. I don't think the public should be IN our school buildings during the day at any time," user Amitiel wrote on a Patch article. "The red tape you have to go through on any other day to gain access to your child during a school day should be enough to determine that this is a good decision not to allow the public inside a school on a regular school day without even normal security measures."

But others are quick to call the measure an over-reaction, sparked by the tragedy that shook an elementary school in Newtown, CT, in December.

"This is a foolish emotional reaction," Scott Ziegler wrote on Patch. "There are ways to enhance the security and still use the PUBLIC Schools for PUBLIC events such as voting."

Patch's news partner WISN reports other area school districts had considered ending voting in schools, such as schools in Wauwatosa and Glendale. Glendale opted for tighter security instead, whereas Wauwatosa officials have already shifted some of the voting out of its school buildings — though this change started well before the Newtown shootings.

• More coverage: WISN reports on voting in Port Washington schools.

Patch readers also offered other suggestions for avoiding security issues.

"Make voting days an in-service day for staff and give the kids the day off," Joyce wrote. "Problem solved."

"If elections were held on Saturday (when most people aren't working and kids are not in school) this would not be an issue," MDS wrote. "But that would only encourage more people to vote, so we know that won't happen."

Do you have thoughts on a new voting location?

Tell us in the comments.