‘Feeling safe is a privilege’: Jeffco board member’s remark sparks outrage after school shooting

By Adria Iraheta | Denver7

Denver7 heard from several parents who were upset by Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education Member Erin Kenworthy's remarks.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — More than a month after the shooting at Evergreen High School, school safety remains top of mind for families across Jefferson County.

Parents voiced their concerns during a Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education meeting Thursday. Many of those parents were directly impacted by the tragedy that rocked the community on Sept. 10.

“Our most important job is to protect our children, and what we’re doing right now is not working,” said Evergreen resident Kim Halligan.

Emotions ran high Thursday as community members made their pleas for improved school safety measures across the district, including more school resource officers, mental health resources, and metal detectors.

“On Wednesday the 10^th, a trust was broken between my daughter and I,” said Evergreen High School parent Matt Thompson. “The fact that when she went to school, she would be safe. That shattered promise is not easily fixed.”

In response to Thompson, Board Member Erin Kenworthy made several comments that have since caused a stir within the district.

“For one of the gentlemen, I wanted to say, safety is actually a privilege,” Kenworthy said. “It is not a right and it cannot be guaranteed, which is incredibly hard for any parent to say to their child.”

• Watch her full remarks below. A full transcript can be found at the bottom of this article.

READ THE FULL STORY AT DENVER7