I can only use my school as a point of reference. We have a closed lunch which means that students are not allowed off campus during lunch. Largely we are fairly successful in efforts to keep them in, but it would be a lot more difficult to keep a determined and armed force out. especially if there was no prior warning. Then there is a large area of portable classrooms (my area) which sits along the perimeter of the athletic field. There are probably about 300-500 students and their teachers in these areas all day long. Each portable has at least two exits, but it would still be a hostage disaster.
Law Enforcement? After the debacle at Colombine, I seriously doubt that they will get the situation rectified in time. Trust me, I'd feel a LOT better if me and my best buddy (retired Airborne Ranger First Sergeant) had access (legally) to our firearms!
How secure do parents want their children to be in public schools and will they pay for whatever changes and charges need to be made to enforce it?
The Haitian parents of kids at my school can't afford to keep their kids properly fed and clothed!
I understand your concern about the money issues for the parents of the students. Our area is currently conducting a coat drive so that children have them with the oncome of freezing temperatures in the days ahead. Food drives that used to occur on holidays are now fixtures year-around because there are so many hungry families in need of basic food supplies.