In the wake of the shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, local principals in the Mid-Prairie School District have met to formulate an emergency plan.

“We have had some discussion about how to deal with disaster,’ said Superintendent Gordon Cook, noting that it covers more than student violence.

As much as all would find it hard to believe that something like the Colorado shooting could occur here, “you cannot guarantee it,” said Principal Mark Schneider.

However, all schools have worked out a code system to lock doors and to notify police and other emergency personnel.

“Of course, it always looks good on paper,” said Principal Gerry Beeler, explaining that with crash bars on doors (required by the state fire officials) “you cannot be sure if a door is opened and left open.”

He added “there is an emergency plan” that has been worked out with the Grant Wood Area Education agency.

He added that there are always “indicators that are noted after something happens,” referring to the descriptions of the Colorado students. Specifically the wearing of black clothing, the love of certain computer games and more.

“What we have to be careful about is not over-reacting,” said Beeler.

In fact, the idea is to prevent emergencies, something that all agreed cannot be guaranteed.

However, at the high school level the Advisor-Advisee program “is working very well.”

The program, which has 12-15 students, meets with a teacher daily.

“It is not a class,” said Beeler, “and when you meet every day, you get a feel about what is going on.”

The key, all agreed, is communication: the more, the better.

“It is horrific that it could have happened,” Cook said of the killings. “We cannot believe what could precipitate it. But, it could happen anywhere you have people. We are not any different.”

The positive aspect is to try to learn something from it, noting that the “one problem as a society is the ease with which we can get anything…the ease we can buy guns, materials for bombs, controlled substances.”

Locally, he did not see taking any dramatic steps, but that “we need to talk about dealing with possible disasters.”

Principal Bill Marks said “that tragedy tells us we need to be aware,” but stressed that no one can prepare for every emergency.

“We need to have a plan and to review and discuss it on a consistent basis. We need to talk with staff and students every day,” he said.

He stressed the need to approach such a discussion in a “calm and objective manner.”

In talking about preventing such a disaster, Schneider said “We have to realize that in this society what do we value? We do admire the toughest.”

He said “I don’t mind competition, it can be very healthy. The problem is how we handle it. We have to build systems that value all people, not just the winners.”

He agreed that “it is a complex problem. You can talk about alienation, but it is not a simple issue.”