Milford Mirror

School board votes to add security guard back to Law now

Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 February 2012 17:07 Written by Jill K. Dion
Tuesday, 14 February 2012 11:45

The Board of Education voted Monday night to hire back one security guard at Jonathan Law High School now instead of waiting for the start of next school year.

The school board recently decided to add the guard — upping the number there from one to two — to the 2012-13 budget, meaning the addition guard would start in the fall.

But school administrators petitioned the board to act early on that decision and reinstate the guard now.

Two years ago, there were three security guards at Jonathan Law. But that number was trimmed to one, the same year the number of security guards at Foran High School was cut from four to two to save money.

In a letter to School Supt. Dr. Elizabeth Feser, Jonathan Law Principal Fran Thompson said he is pleased the board voted to add a guard next year, but, in truth, he said, “the need is immediate.”

Thompson outlined a number of reasons why he needs the additional security guard now.

“The vast square footage” of the building, including “30 potential exit doors, creates a constant opportunity for students to leave the building without permission,” Thompson wrote.

He said the security booth at the school is unstaffed, and with one more guard now, he will be able to post the guard there to greet people and to monitor video surveillance monitors in the booth.

“As spring comes,” Thompson added, “student management becomes more challenging.”

School board members quickly got behind Thompson’s request, saying they support the move for safety reasons.

Beverley Pierson (D-4) noted a fight that took place in the cafeteria this school year, after which a cafeteria worker was arrested for getting involved, and said the additional guard is a “necessity for our children’s safety.”

Board member Earl Whiskeyman (D-4) raised a tiny red flag, saying he wondered what will happen if the 2012-13 budget proposal is cut further and the board doesn’t get the money it needs for a security guard.

But Chairman Tracy Casey (D-2) and Board member Susan Glennon (D-2) pointed out that it is up to the board to decide how to allocate funds. Since the board deemed the additional guard a priority, the position will not be cut next year, they said.

Thompson said one of the two security guards let go last year will be asked to return to the job.

There have been no moves to add another security guard at Foran High School, which still has two guards.

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