Letters: Why do we need deputies in schools?

Why do we in Richland County have to pay 87 sheriff’s deputies in our schools?

Why can’t school officials contact parents when a child’s behavior goes beyond the control of the teacher or principal? Because those parents work.

Why not require parents who say they can’t come to school to control their disruptive children to arrange for another family member, friend or neighbor to pick up those children? Parents should be instructed in such cases to contact the school to be informed of actions to be taken because of the child’s behavior. If nobody can or will pick up the child, school officials could call 911 and request that the child be taken to a secure and safe location, where I suspect parents would find a way to pick up their child.

In extreme cases where there is potential for danger, a 911 call obviously would be appropriate, but I suspect this would happen rarely — if ever.