Palmerton drafts job description for 2 school officers

The majority of Palmerton Area School District’s board of directors on Tuesday evening said they would like to continue pursuing the hiring of two school police officers and making physical infrastructure improvements to district buildings.

During a board workshop, directors asked Superintendent Scot Engler to draft an official job description for the officers, which he said would be ready by the next board meeting in two weeks.

Though the conversation was positive regarding adding two officers, board President Barry Scherer cautioned that it is still early in the process.

“We are in no way ready to go hire individuals or even advertise at this point,” Scherer said. “The board needs to see a job description and what that person will do. They need to know what is expected of them.”

Tuesday was far from the first time school police officers have come up for conversation in Palmerton. In fact, Engler said initial research was done several years ago. Startup money was budgeted for the officers for the 2018-19 school year, but the board did not move forward at that time.

Engler said if the district went in that direction, it would likely look at adding two retired state police officers who already have benefits. He estimated the salaries at just under $40,000 for each officer.

“I believe we do need to improve infrastructure, but I also see the benefit of police officers,” Director Tammy Recker said. “It will be a cost and we will have to plan for it, but our students deserve to have in place whatever we can put in place for their safety.”

Fellow board member Kathy Fallow also backed the two-pronged approach of adding officers and looking at building improvements, specifically access points at the different schools.

Secured entrances

Many schools around the area have moved to “secured entrances,” where visitors are buzzed into a secured vestibule or waiting area and are greeted by a staff member before they can access the rest of the building, several of Palmerton’s schools are not set up in that manner.

Physical building improvements to address some of those concerns, Engler said, are already underway.

In August, the board unanimously accepted a proposal from the Gilbertson Group for “districtwide security updates.” The work, he added, is estimated to cost around $120,000.

Scherer said the physical improvements are where he would like to see the district focus its efforts.

“Two officers to cover five buildings won’t protect every child,” he said. “I’d rather see the district spend funds on securing buildings. The goal should be preventing weapons from getting in the building.”

Role of the officers

Much of Tuesday’s discussion centered on what the role of the school police officers would be, if hired.

In other districts, Engler said, they wear many hats and, in addition to providing security, can also investigate truancy issues and serve as a liaison to outside agencies such as Children and Youth Services, for example.

“I would see it as someone who would have their finger on the pulse of the school as to who might need help before they may become angry at the world,” Fallow said.

Other districts also often use school police officers to provide security at sporting events or other extracurricular events.

Engler said the district spends just under $20,000 each year on contracted security firms for extracurricular events, but using officers who work for the district could provide greater flexibility and accountability.

“For example, our contracted security firm didn’t show up for the prom last year,” he said. “We feel there are better ways to spend our security money. If we had officers who work for the district, they could also train some of our staff members. We have adults here who know our students and are able to handle disruptions with some additional training.”

Director Charles Gildner views the job with a more singular focus.

“When I think of security, I’m worried about the kids safety,” he said. “I’m not thinking about them going out to homes and looking at why kids aren’t coming to school. That is where the parents need to be involved.”

Palmerton meets next at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 16.