With each of the three boards of education in the tri-district making its own decision on additional security in the schools, both Atlantic Highlands Elementary and Henry Hudson Regional school have opted to hire their own security personnel while Highlands Elementary School is retaining a Class 3 Special Law Enforcement officer. (see related story)
School Superintendent Tara Beams said discussion of increased security in all three schools began during the budgeting process in early December and has been discussed at several board meetings since. The boards all looked at several options presented by the superintendent, then voted on their own model to implement.
The superintendent said security at the Atlantic Highlands elementary and Henry Hudson schools are district employees and not hired through an outside agency or company. They are retired law enforcement officers.
Visitor management, building security and monitoring, and campus monitoring are important components of safety and security, Beam said. “We have not had dedicated staff that is solely charged with this task and, like many schools, feel that this is just an added layer of security to help ensure our staff, students and visitors’ safety,” she added .
In all cases, the security officers will be carrying concealed weapons.
Students will be made aware of the staff addition during their opening meetings and assemblies next week.
The officers will be present when school is in session and at arrival and dismissal. At Atlantic Highlands, the officer may be present for events when large numbers of visitors are attending, and at Hudson they will be used for athletic events and other events where large numbers of visitors are on campus.
Financing the additional assistance is included in the boards of education operating budgets and safety and security grants. The approximate cost for each of the districts is approximately $50,000, the superintendent said.
The two boards selecting their own security personnel set strict standards for consideration, including the applicant had to be a retired law enforcement officer in good standing after a quarter of a century of service, had to have a NJ valid driver’s license and good oral and written communication skills as well as demonstrate his or her ability to work with students and adult. Applicants had to possess strong problem solving and communication skills, hold specific certifications and knowledge and would work with a goal of maintaining order and discipline, investigating student violations of school board policies and student code of conduct on school property or at school sponsored events. The superintendent said they all are trained in CPR and first aid as well.
Duties of the officers in the two schools would include communicating and working effectively with administration, staff, students, and visitors, developing and maintaining a strong rapport with students and staff to ensure they feel comfortable voicing concerns related to safety and security on school grounds, maintaining composure in stressful or rapidly evolving situations ensuring proper notifications to personnel and law enforcement, documenting specific incidents of violations and similar obligations for the continued protection of all personnel and alert attention to any untoward or unusual incidents or individuals.
