When it comes to keeping our children safe, $44,000 is a small price to pay.

That’s approximately how much it will cost the Ironton School District each year to keep two off-duty police officers in the buildings during school hours.

The district is wise to do this and should be commended for finding the resources to do so in a time when many schools are struggling with funding.

It also serves an additional purpose of exposing you to law-enforcement and helping instill the understanding the police officers are there to help youth.

Other school districts across Lawrence County have taken significant steps toward making their schools safe and continue to look at even more options to increase safety. This is certainly not something that should be taken lightly or considered an unnecessary expense.

Providing the best possible education has to be the top priority of our public schools but that is impossible without a safe and secure environment.

Anyone who believes that nothing like this could happen here has his or her head buried in the sand. Tragedies can occur anywhere and may sometimes be unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do everything possible to prevent them.

If it keeps children safe or saves a life, $44,000 is a downright bargain.