Sunday, December 23, 2012
Boardman: Rumors of an act of violence occurring Friday at Boardman High School swirled last week but could not be verified. “I think it’s obvious that with every threat you take it seriously. As far as where you go with it, that’s is really dependent on each case and really what the circumstances are,” said school resource officer Sgt. Chuck Hillman.
Struthers: Joe Nohra, who will become schools superintendent after the end of the year, said that schools will use a recorded message to reach parents if there is a threat or to dispel rumors. “We’re going to form building-level teams” for crisis response, he added.
Canfield: Steve Garstka, school resource officer for Canfield schools, said patrol officers have been hitting the schools harder since the Newtown shootings.
Youngstown: The district’s middle and high schools are equipped with metal detectors. Each building has a crisis plan.
West Branch: For the past decade, the school district has had an agreement with Goshen Township Police to have a school resource officer assigned full time.
Austintown: General maintenance was done throughout the schools as a precaution. “We went through everything just to check,” said Mal Culp, supervisor of facilities and operations. “We’re in good shape.”
Poland: Interim Superintendent Don Dailey plans to put together a task force at each building to identify weak points in that school’s security.
Springfield: Superintendent Debra Mettee said the district is wrapping up construction for a secure high-school entrance.
Girard: The senior and junior high building, which opened in 2010, has a surveillance system that allows the secretary to view visitors before they are buzzed in.
Liberty: Superintendent Stan Watson said the district is reviewing safety policies and procedures. He said teachers and staff have undergone training.
Sources: Officials at each school district