It is understandable why some might hesitate before spending a lot of money to upgrade school security in the wake of Newtown. The possibility of a shooting occurring at any given school is very unlikely. And shelling out bucks for safety upgrades can feel like an emotional reaction to a horrific event.
The Board of Education this week proposed spending $1.4 million to make town school buildings more secure. That is a lot compared with the odds of an Adam Lanza-like character appearing at a Greenwich school with murderous intent.
But looked at another way, $1.4 million is not much to pay to increase the safety of some 9,000 kids during the hours when their parents entrust them to the town.
The improvements the money would buy are not outlandish or frivolous ideas. They include something as basic as making sure teachers can lock classroom doors from the inside. There is indication that door locks spared some Sandy Hook Elementary School students from Lanza's rifle.
Other security measures would include installation of a security film on glass at school entrances, camera equipment and a floor-mapping system that would help guide first responders. The latter could prove to be a life-saver in any number of emergency situations.
On balance, this is a measured response to a horrific though rare occurrence. Yes, Newtown stoked our deepest fears, making us all want to do anything possible to protect our children. But in the rational light of day, it also showed us the reality of what can happen in an insufficiently protected school building.
Following that lesson, it would be irresponsible to not take reasonable steps to make school buildings safer. And the steps proposed by the school board are reasonable. The town should follow through.