Community Corner

Was I at a Different Meeting? BOE Candidate Says of Superintendent's Synopsis

'Review makes me wonder if perhaps I was at a different meeting.'

Dear Editor,
Having taken on a life of its own, the attempt by the Board of Education to reinstate the position of SRO, has become an issue of public disclosure more than a review of the merits of the position or the program. In her synopsis of the Board meeting of June 11th Dr. Dolan does an exemplary job of recapping the more than 2 hour dialog that occurred, or at least half of it. I have copied the synopsis below for your readers to see for themselves. In fact, the review makes me wonder if perhaps I was at a different meeting. One in which not only were there a dozen or so residents who came to object and be heard, but 3 members of the Board itself, had issue, concerns or questions, none of which Dr. Dolan seems to feel warrant any space in her synopsis.  It is my understanding that Dr. Dolan produces these documents in an effort to ensure the many Westfield residents who are not able to attend these meetings are well informed. Perhaps I am in err as to their purpose, however, one thing is clear the summary below is not in any way complete. For anyone wishing to review the video of the meeting it is also posted on the districts page (the dialog on this issue begins roughly 47 minutes into the video, and ends 2 hours and 33 minutes later)
The following is taken from Dr. Dolan's Synopsis:

"REINSTATEMENT OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER

 I began my report by stating that we were very fortunate to have a School Resource Officer (SRO) in the district for 10 years.  He was a fabric of Westfield High School.  He was not an armed guard, nor are we suggesting one now. Unfortunately, the SRO position was eliminated due to budget cuts a few years ago.  Each year the WHS Principal and I have looked at ways to include the position in the development of the budget, and when we saw a reduction in salary accounts for 2013-14 we reached out to the Westfield Police Department to see if we could work out an arrangement for shared services.  The district’s share would be $50,000, which would provide us with an invaluable resource for our students, staff and administration.  This amount was included in the 2013-14 budget, which was approved by the Board onMarch 21.  The position was included in a Powerpoint budget presentation at the March 5, 2013 Board meeting (which I replayed on June 11).  

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The SRO is a multi-faceted position which has proven to be extremely beneficial to our students, staff, and administration. There are three main functions:  law enforcement officer; law related counselor; and law related educator.

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According to the NJ SAFE Task Force Report published April 2013, “The SRO program is essentially a type of community policing where the officer’s beat is a school.  These officers become an integral part of the school community.  The emphasis is on positive interactions with students and staff.”  Also quoting from the NJ SAFE Task Force Report, “Furthermore, experience shows that SROs earn trust among the student population so that students who would otherwise be reluctant to call police or a “tip line” feel comfortable sharing information that might help to nip a problem – such as bullying, threats of violence, or aberrant behavior – before it escalates to senseless violence.  The point is simply that far from disrupting a school environment, these officers contribute to that environment as full-fledged and well respected members of the school community.”

 

Westfield Chief of Police, David Wayman, explained that the SRO is an officer who undergoes special training for a school environment, who establishes relationships with students in a positive non-confrontational setting, gains student trust, instructs specialized programs on crime prevention and substance abuse, is a valuable resource in confronting potential or actual illegal occurrences, becomes acutely familiar with the physical characteristics of the school, enhances safety, and assists in dealing with emergencies. A trained SRO is a police officer. When any police officer has been in our schools – in a DARE program, explaining bicycle safety, etc., he/she has been armed because he/she is on duty.

 

WHS Principal Peter Renwick stated that he worked 15 years alongside a SRO. Based on this experience, Mr. Renwick reiterated the value of the position and the resources a SRO provides:  serves as a role model; assists in interventions/mediations; promotes respect through citizenship;  shares knowledge of the law; knows and has a comfort level with the building; assists others; promotes a safe environment; develops positive relationships with students, faculty, staff and administration; addresses potential issues that could develop; and would be able to address a serious threat much faster being in the building. 

Director of Counseling Maureen Mazzarese worked alongside the previous SRO at WHS.  The SRO was a valued member of the Student Assistance Team and the Crisis Management Team.  She stated that the SRO was sought after by club advisors, nurses, teachers, parents, and students.  He was a familiar face in the halls.  The students shared with him concerns they had of their friends.  He helped the administration and the staff to understand cyber-technology and the law.  His interventions were often successful in preventing a criminal offense.  Ms. Mazzarese added that WHS is a bigger place now and the need is even greater. 

Board member Brendan Galligan, who was a student at the time that a SRO was at WHS, said that as a victim of a crime, he was personally helped by the SRO, who continued to check on him a week later.  Mr. Galligan stated that the SRO was “a real asset to the school community.”

Following additional comments and questions by the Board and public – both in support of and in opposition to the motion -- the Board tabled the reinstatement of the SRO until the next meeting on Monday, June 24, to permit further communication on the topic."

Jonathan Blitt


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