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Two Boardman schools receive new resource officers
By Bruce Walton
BOARDMAN
A new school year brings new faces to Boardman Center Intermediate School and Glenwood Junior High School, including two more resource officers.
Michael Salser, stationed at Boardman Center, and Phil Merlo, stationed at Glenwood, are the new resource officers working with students during the school year.
They are replacing resource officer Chuck Hillman, who had monitored these school buildings by himself. Now he will do the same at the elementary schools and in the surrounding areas. Resource officer Paul Poulos will remain at Boardman High School.
The officers went through an extensive application process among several candidates.
Their duties focus on escorting the students on and off the bus before and after school. During the day, the officers visit students at lunch times and classes. In addition to ensuring their physical safety, the officers support their emotional and mental safety.
“It’s tremendous to be able to help the kids through their rough times, to give them guidance, to mentor them and primarily to create a safe environment here at school with them,” Merlo said. “It’s conducive to their learning.”
The officers have more than 40 years between the two of them and applied out of their love of teaching children and as fathers themselves.
Aside from giving a positive police presence in the schools, district Superintendent Tim Saxton said resource officers ensure safety more than cameras or security systems could.
In addition to their safety, township police Chief Jack Nichols said the agreement allows the department to act more efficiently within the township. Crimes around school property will be reported and investigated through the resource officers, so the department won’t have to send other detectives.
“That takes somewhat of a burden off of our other investigators,” he said.
These two additions are a result of a three-year federal Community Oriented Policing Services grant, which funded two Boardman police officer positions.
As they become more comfortable in their positions, the two officers hope to connect with students to discuss the dangers of bullying, drug abuse and cyber bullying.
Being at the schools, however, is just as much a learning experience for them as it is for students.