Our public schools should be a safe environment that is conducive to learning. That means if students have a record of violence, then they should be directed to alternative education programs. Ensuring the safety of the greater student population is the school district's most fundamental responsibility.

While it's true that, for the most part, order is the norm in our public schools, the fights last week at Farrington High School in which one student lost an eye after being shot with BB gun, require a swift and tough response.

The Board of Education and the department's safety committee are exploring the issue of bullying and violence on our campuses, and that's a good thing. There should be strict penalties for those caught intimidating other students on or near campus. And when a situation involves a gun, there should be no leeway.

State law calls for a one-year suspension for bringing a firearm to school. The law should be changed to reflect a zero-tolerance policy resulting in expulsion. Guns have no place on campus. Period. Students expelled from the system should complete their education in an alternative program.

In other cases of violence, the law allows for suspensions ranging from 10 to 92 days. Principals, such as Farrington's Catherine Payne believe a stronger response is warranted. They're right.

Schools must be safe zones for children. It's up to state lawmakers to work with the DOE to change the law so that our polices on paper reflect our philosophies at heart.