In a troubling letter to Governor Tim Walz, leaders of the Minnesota Catholic Conference expressed their deep concerns about the security of nonpublic schools. They stated that these institutions were in “urgent and critical need” of improved safety measures, emphasizing, “our schools are under attack.” This letter, which has resurfaced in light of a tragic shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school, highlights an ongoing issue that has now resulted in a devastating reality.
The letter was sent April 14, 2023, by Jason Adkins and Tim Benz. They pointed out rising threats against not just Catholic schools, but all nonpublic schools in the state. Their warnings were echoed by the recent mass shooting at the Covenant Christian School in Nashville, which occurred just a week prior. They stated, “The latest school shooting at a nonpublic Christian school in Tennessee sadly confirms what we already know.”
The situation escalated dramatically when a 23-year-old gunman opened fire during a Mass at the Annunciation Catholic Church, which serves an attached school in Minneapolis. This tragic incident left two students dead and 17 others injured. According to reports, the assailant had expressed fierce anti-religious sentiments in a manifesto, raising serious questions about the motivations behind such violence.
In their letter, Adkins and Benz voiced a stark reality: the almost 72,000 students enrolled in independent Catholic, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim schools in Minnesota are at risk. They highlighted a significant oversight in state funding, explaining how these nonpublic schools were excluded from the $50 million Building and Cyber Security Grant Program and the Safe Schools Program. “We need to ensure that all schools have the resources to respond to and prevent these attacks from happening,” they wrote.
Further emphasizing the urgency, the leaders reflected on the increased threats faced by nonpublic educational institutions, especially Jewish and Muslim schools, insisting that threats must be treated seriously. They concluded with a plea for the inclusion of nonpublic schools in the final Education Finance bill for vital security funding, stating, “An attack on any school, whether it is a public, nonpublic, charter, or another school site, cannot be tolerated.”
Even with these alarming concerns, responses from Walz’s office have been mixed. A spokesperson reiterated the state’s commitment to student safety and noted that private schools do receive some state funding. However, the Minnesota Catholic Conference confirmed that their requests for more comprehensive support have largely gone unheeded.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul-Minneapolis previously joined in these appeals, calling for the state legislature to ensure consistent funding for security enhancements in all schools, including private ones. Unfortunately, the legislative structures currently allow for funding mechanisms that do not accommodate private schools, leaving many parents and educators frustrated.
Following the Minneapolis shooting, FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the attack as an act of domestic terrorism. He stated that the assailant’s manifesto and statements revealed a strong anti-religious bias, further illustrating the need for immediate discussions on school security.
As the Minnesota legislature considers new safety measures, the proposed SHIELD bill aims to bolster funding for school security systems. However, under its current provisions, nonpublic schools remain ineligible for these funds, leaving many unanswered questions for school leaders and parents.
The violent realities spell a critical need for a reassessment of how educational institutions are protected in Minnesota. Without adequate support for nonpublic schools, the safety of students remains in jeopardy. As one leader aptly put it, “the tragedy from last week… must never happen in Minnesota or in our country again.”
In the wake of these events, it remains crucial for dialogue on this pressing issue to continue, ensuring that the lives and safety of all students are prioritized in state policy. The voices of those advocating for enhanced security measures for nonpublic schools reflect the sentiments of many concerned parents and educators, urging that drastic steps must be taken to safeguard against future tragedies.
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