School Resource Officer Decision Delayed

Update: This story was updated at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday to include comments made by Charles Sullivan regarding compensation.

After hours of discussion Tuesday evening, the Westfield Board of Education decided to table its vote on whether the school resource officer position should be reinstated. The decision will be made at the board's next meeting to be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 24.

The Board of Ed meeting room was filled with residents seeking answers regarding the role of a school resource officer and why one was necessary after the position has been vacant for the past five years. Others said they were upset that they had not received more information from the district regarding the possibility of placing an armed law enforcement officer at Westfield High School.

It was Board member Ann Cary who, after more than an hour's-worth of debate, suggested that the Board might be "jumping the gun" by voting that evening. Cary said she believed it was the first time that the Board was getting "a lot of information" about the school resource officer. 

Earlier in the meeting, Westfield schools superintendent Margaret Dolan said the position, which had been in place for at least a decade but was eliminated due to budget cuts, had been a great benefit to the school community. She noted that both she and WHS Principal Peter Renwick have repeatedly discussed bringing an officer back into the school over the last five years.

"This is not something new; this is not a reaction to anything," she said. "It was a successful position in the high school that was part of the fabric of Westfield High School. This is not a recommendation that is being made lightly."

During budget talks held in March and April, the Board looked at reinstating the School Resource Officer position at an approximate cost of $100,000 which would be borne equally by the district and the Town of Westfield. 

As part of the superintendent's report, Westfield Police Chief David Wayman said the officer, who would serve as a liason between students, guidance counselors and law enforcement, would receive the necessary training to take part in the school resource officer program. When later asked about the training, Wayman said it was a 7 to 10 day program. 

The chief also said the officer would serve as a mentor and "teach the students and promote respect for people and property." Wayman added that he believed he had the ideal officer in mind - someone who has been a Westfield police officer for eight years and is also a WHS graduate, giving him intimate knowledge of the building and the school climate. 

Campus security expert Charles Sullivan also spoke before the Board, outlining many of the points he covered in his He advocated for the increased use of technology, specifically referencing www.defencall.com, a system that sends a direct alert to first responders. Sullivan also suggested that rather than have officers drive by in police cars, have them "walk a foot post" whereby they could get a feel for what's really going on in the community. Further, he said if Westfield decides to go ahead with the idea that they should advertise the position in The New York Times and on the website Indeed, casting a wider net for the "best and brightest."

Sullivan also asked what the officer's hours would be and if he or she would be paid a salary or on an hourly basis. Dolan thanked him for bringing this up as it had not been covered in the report. She stated that the previous officer's hours were flexible and she hoped that a future officer could follow a similar schedule, one that would allow him to attend a big game or events such as the bonfire held the night before Thanksgiving.

Sullivan said the district should prepare for "$30,000 in overtime, because these guys don't work for free."

Westfield resident Karen Egert asked the Board if the salary couldn't be put to better use by hiring a trained mental health professional rather than an armed police officer. 

Jennifer Silva asked where the Board had found the $50,000 to consider reinstating the position and asked what would happen, if, after a year, the district found itself without the funds to renew the officer's one-year contract.

Dolan said she hoped that that would not be the case. Board member Mark Friedman also raised questions about the contract that the district would have with the Town. Because the officer would be under the jurisdiction of the Westfield Police Department, Friedman wanted to know what would happen should the Board determine that the officer or the position was no longer desirable. Board president Rich Mattessich said the Board would not be forced to keep the officer but it would not receive a refund. 

Lori Bennett, a mom of three, asked why the officer would be spending 90 percent of his time at the high school and stated that she thought more intervention was needed at the intermediate level when children are just beginning to face challenges and pressures. Board members Lucy Biegler stated that most illegal offenses were happening at the high school level rather than in the elementary or intermediate schools. Dolan explained that administrators at the elementary and intermediate schools would have access to the officer as a resource. 

Board member Mitch Slater asked if rather than an armed law enforcement officer should the first step be to look at hiring a student assistance counselor. Head of guidance Maureen Mazzarese said guidance counselors are now highly-trained across the board and stated that the guidance department is fully-staffed.

While nearly a dozen residents spoke before the Board, none was in favor of an armed law enforcement officer within the high school. 

Brendan Galligan, the Board's youngest member, said he was a student at WHS when the former school resource officer, Det. Ray Allen, was on duty. He recalled how Allen not only solved a crime that had been committed against him (Galligan), but also checked in on him a week later to ask how he was doing. While a resident said she found Galligan's sharing his experience helpful, she was still conflicted.

Board of Ed candidate Jonathan Blitt said in light of the large turnout, many questions but few solid answers, going forward with a decision was tantamount to "putting the cart before the horse."

Because the next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 24, the night before the high school's graduation, Mattessich noted that Renwick, Wayman and Mazzarese would most likely be unavailable. He suggested that if any Board members have any questions, they direct them to the appropriate people over the next two weeks. 

Cary still questioned if two weeks would be enough time to gather the information necessary to make the decision. Mattessich said if the officer were to start in September, a decision would need to be made by June 24. 

Slater thanked residents for coming out and sharing their opinions. 

If residents wish to contact Board members with questions, they are asked to do so through their Board emails, available here.