The following has been verified as a genuine letter to the editor from a confirmed source.
Dear Lantern Staff,
I am an Andover Butler student who has been on this campus for almost two years. As you are well aware of, Andover’s campus is undergoing major renovations. The new southern part of the 5000 building opened at the beginning of this semester, and I am not pleased with what I see. It looks modern and sleek, to be sure – but the majority of it is made of non-bulletproof glass. The doors are glass from the top to the bottom with only a thin wooden lining, glass panels edge every doorway, and the teachers’ new offices have floor-to-ceiling glass walls.
We all know that school shootings are on the increase – so much so that it is no longer a matter of if, but when a school shooting will occur. My concern is how will this new design stand up to a possible armed invader? I do know that Butler has a new lock system which locks every door electronically, and that there was discussion about installing shades over the glass doors in an effort to make the classroom appear empty in a possible gunman situation. But a lock system is useless against a glass-shattering bullet: the perpetrator can shoot his way through the doors. And shades don’t stop bullets, either! I believe that these doors will eventually need to be replaced with sturdy, wooden doors for the safety of Butler’s students and staff.
This brings up a further concern: What are Butler’s safety procedures for the remodeled building? Are they enforcing drills for potential school shootings? What is the Police presence like at the 5000 building? How is Butler planning on amending these remodel issues?
I am not the only one wanting answers to these questions: during the president’s monthly visit to Andover in February, several students voiced their concerns over the compromised safety of the renovations. They were met with rather vague replies. My wish is that the Lantern would write an article addressing these questions. Not only are the current students of Butler affected by these renovations, but the entire future enrollment at Butler of Andover. Please consider our future.
Sincerely, A Concerned Student
Butler Lantern 