Every student in Crownpoint deserves to feel safe while working toward their dreams and goals. However, many students attend school each day in buildings with outdated and unreliable fire safety systems. These unsafe conditions can place students, teachers, and staff members at serious risk during emergencies. By improving the fire protection systems at Crownpoint High School (CHS), the community can help create a safer learning environment where students can focus on their education without fear or danger.
The entire Crownpoint community is affected by this issue, including students, parents, teachers, school staff, and local leaders. Everyone connected to CHS wants students to have a safe and supportive place to learn.
Many Crownpoint High School students and community members have discussed the need for better support from the school district because the school has been struggling with funding and resources. These financial problems have made it difficult to improve important safety systems at the school. Crownpoint High School freshman, Daylen Begay stated, “I am attending this school, but it is kind of run down. I am sure the sprinklers could barely stop a fire.” Begay’s statement reflects the concerns many students have about the condition of the school and whether the fire safety systems would work properly during an emergency.
According to Crownpoint High School students and community members, these issues have been going on for at least three years. Over time, many people feel that the concerns have slowly been ignored instead of fully addressed. Schools around New Mexico, including Crownpoint, have experienced budget cuts and financial struggles that affect student safety and school resources. Students deserve a safe environment where they can learn and succeed. Schools are meant to protect students while helping them prepare for their futures. If students or staff members were injured during an emergency because of poor fire safety systems, the consequences could be devastating for families and the entire community. Mrs. Barbone, the Crownpoint High School Health Assistant, has been at CHS for over 33 years. She emphasized that through her years with the school, she was never informed of this hazardous situation, so it appears that the truth about the Fire Safety System within the high school has not been adaquately addressed in the past.
Research and local concerns have brought attention to the condition of the school’s fire safety system. Reports discussed online have raised concerns about Crownpoint High School’s fire protection systems and school safety conditions. Community members worry that these problems have not been fully addressed and that students continue to attend school in unsafe conditions. Another freshman student, Kaleb Benally, believes that “The fire safety system could cause risks to us and also create problems for the public community.”
Students at CHS have shared their opinions about the condition of the school building and safety systems, and many are worried about their safety while attending school each day. A student who prefers to remain anonymous said, “I believe this school needs its budget to increase so that I know I am safe at school.” This statement represents the feelings of many students who want better funding so CHS can improve safety systems and provide a more secure learning environment.
There are several major problems that CHS has been facing, including lack of funding, poor safety systems, and concerns about student well-being. One important solution would be increasing the school’s budget so students and teachers can obtain better resources, updated equipment, and stronger support programs. Better funding could help repair or replace outdated fire alarms, sprinklers, and emergency systems that are necessary during dangerous situations.
Another important improvement would be creating a more welcoming and positive school environment. When students feel safe and supported, they are more likely to succeed academically and emotionally. Schools should focus not only on education, but also on protecting the health and safety of students and staff members. By focusing on these improvements, CHS could provide a brighter future and a stronger learning environment for current and future students.
The safety concerns at CHS are affecting not only the school, but also the entire Crownpoint community. Raising the school’s budget, improving fire safety systems, and focusing more on student well-being can help create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone. Students deserve schools where they can learn without discomfort, fear, or danger. If the community and district leaders work together, positive changes can happen for both current students and future generations. As the saying goes, “The future of a community is built inside its schools.”
