The Butler School District approved funding this week for further safety measures at its schools. This couldn’t come at a better time, considering two recent incidents that rightfully alarmed parents with students in local schools.

On Jan. 7, Knoch High School student Jason Bowen was seen in a Snapchat video firing an AK-style weapon with the caption “Training for prom walk.” In a 2018 Instagram post, Bowen is alleged to be giving thumbs-up to a newspaper clipping of the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre in Connecticut that claimed the lives of 20 elementary school children.

Later in January, a local middle school student was questioned about a Snapchat photo of two shotguns and a knife with the caption “Can’t wait until after school.” That incident ended up being an example of bad timing and no charges were filed against the student.

Regardless, it’s understandable if Butler County parents are on edge following these two incidents. And it’s a good thing that the Butler School District is implementing new safety measures and obtaining new funding for it.

At its Monday meeting, the board approved $25,000 in funding from a state grant to go toward additional radios and $1,600 for handcuffs for school police officers. Superintendent Brian White said the district would now have a “true police department” that has the ability to make arrests when required.

The board also approved $84,000 for alterations to Butler High School’s security entrance, where visitors can currently gain entry without a buzzer. White said the district is also eyeing additional mental health services for schools. Last year, the board agreed to bring in a school-based therapist from Glade Run Lutheran Services, and it is currently discussing other ways to build “positive relationships” between students at the school.

“There’s always areas for us to grow,” White said. In light of the two recent incidents in Butler County schools as well as the numerous horrific school shootings that have plagued communities across the country since the 1999 Columbine High School shooting in Colorado, we couldn’t agree more.

Recently, we concurred with a call for metal detectors to be added to South Butler School District schools and the district’s plans to undergo a threat assessment to evaluate safety at its facilities, communications systems and mental health support. The Butler School District’s new plans to enhance safety measures has the Eagle’s wholehearted support.

As we’ve said before, opinions on gun control might vary, but increasing safety measures at schools is unlikely to be divisive.

The school district should continue to do anything and everything available to ensure that students are getting a good education in an environment conducive to learning and free of violence.