District takes multi-faceted approach to prevent violence in light of Sandy Hook
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
CALN – The Coatesville Area School District Board of Education passed multiple motions to improve the safety in schools at their meeting Tuesday night.
Actions taken include updated security systems and new discipline policies. The board believes that such actions are necessary in light of the recent tragedies that have affected the country.
“The president said spare no cost [to ensure safety], so that’s what we’re doing,” said Superintendent Richard W. Como.
He also noted that considering the age of some of the district’s buildings, the renovations were cheaper than the board initially thought.
The new systems, which are intended to alert administrators when people enter the buildings and prevent them from going wherever they want, are just part of the action taken to prevent violence.
The board also passed motions to revise student discipline policies, including ones rules regarding weapons, terroristic threats, and bullying.
“Twenty-five years ago, what would have just been being picked on is a whole different aspect of schools now,” said Como. “Students have gone years and developed psychosis.”
Student programs and additional teacher training have also been a part of the efforts in recent months. The board believes that it is important to keep policies updated with the changing times.
“It’s good that you do it, but how often do you do it?” said Como, regarding revising district policies. “For years, the district looked at policy and pointed at the policy books and said, ‘That’s how it’s written in the policy book.’ But sometimes those books were written in the 1950’s.”
He also noted that constantly revising allows the district to keep up with other issues, such as Title IX.
In other district news, concern was raised over the district’s lack of a budget for next year. During public comment, resident Jim Caldwell pointed out that at the January meeting, the board said they would have a budget ready by April, but it still has not been done.
Board member Joseph Dunn said that they are still waiting for information that could greatly affect the amount of money available.
“Putting out numbers that are not reflective of reality helps no one,” he said.
The board is still waiting on the Pennsylvania state budget, for example, which will have a large impact on the district budget. Dunn also noted that the need for accuracy is compounded when district must account for money going into building one new middle school and renovating another.
