City District to Audit Security

By Nichole Dobo, York Daily Record, Pa.

May 25–Just after a vote Wednesday to approve a security assessment at William Penn Senior High School, the York City school board took disciplinary action against 16 students for weapons violations.

The students spanned from second through 11th grade, and the weapons ranged from a pointed crochet hook to a BB gun.

The $32,000 contract to audit the high school’s security comes after several board members said they were concerned that not enough students are being searched before entering school.

"Something’s got to give," said Jeanette Torres, who has expressed concern at board meetings about security. "We need to figure out what."

The consultants — Macon, Ga.-based Safe Havens International — were hired to help the district determine the best use of its resources, which could mean more staff or just a reallocation of what the district already uses.

"We want to do the security audit, and do it right, before we start throwing money into it," Torres said.

The security audit will take place at the beginning of the next school year, said Brad Harman, director of buildings and grounds. With only three weeks of school left, the company didn’t have time to make the trip, he said.

The company will come to the school and observe students and staff during school hours to look for places to improve, Harman said.

There is a possibility that the district will do a similar procedural audit at the other school buildings, said Tom Foust, school board vice

president.

"Depending on what comes out of this, we might expand," he said. "We just wanted to start where there was the greatest need."

The district might get an extra $5.6 million next year from the state, and some of the money could go to implementing a new security plan, Torres said.

In the 2005-06 school year, the latest year statistics are available, the district reported 64 violations that included a weapon of some sort, mainly knives, BB guns or "other" weapons, according to the state Department of Education.

While Supt. Tresa Diggs said the district takes security seriously, it’s an area where there is room for improvement, she said.

"In this day and age, there is a need to assess these things," she said.

ndobo@ydr.com; 771-2032

VIOLATIONS

The York City school board voted Wednesday to approve a $32,000 contract for a consultant to examine William Penn Senior High School’s security. During the same meeting, the board voted to expel students for the following violations.

— An 11th-grader who had a knife was expelled April 18 for the remainder of the school year. The student may return to school Aug. 26 with proof of professional counseling.

— An eighth-grader who shot another student with a BB gun was expelled April 18 for the remainder of the school year. The student may return to school Aug. 26 with proof of professional counseling.

— An eighth-grader who had a razor blade was expelled March 26 for 90 days. The student is eligible to return Oct. 27 with proof of professional counseling.

— A seventh-grader who had a box cutter was expelled May 22 for 90 days. The student can return to school Jan. 7 with proof of professional counseling.

— A seventh-grader who had a knife was expelled May 22 for the remainder of the school year. The student will be assigned to alternative education school for the first 45 days of the 2008-09 school year and is eligible to return to the regular classroom Oct. 30.

— A seventh-grader who had a knife was expelled May 22 for 90 days. The student can return to school Jan. 7 with proof of professional counseling.

— A third-grader was expelled April 17 for having a knife. This is the student’s second offense this school year, so he must attend an alternative school.

— An eighth-grader was suspended May 22 for 90 days for having scissors. It was not noted why the scissors were considered a weapon. He can return to school Jan. 7 with proof of professional counseling.

— A third-grader was suspended April 28 for five days for having a knife. The student was eligible to return to school May 5 if he completed counseling.

— A ninth-grader was suspended May 22 for 90 days for carrying a "pointed crocheting hook." It was not noted why this was considered a weapon. The student was referred to alternative education and is eligible to return to school Jan. 7.

— A fourth-grader was expelled May 12 for five days for possessing a "lookalike" gun. The student was eligible to return to school May 19.

— A third-grader was expelled May 8 for the remainder of the school year for possessing a BB gun. It was not noted when this student is eligible to return to school.

— A second-grader was expelled May 1 for the remainder of the school year for possessing a knife. The student is eligible to return Aug. 26 with proof of professional counseling.

— A 10th-grader was suspended for sexual assault on school property. This expulsion was revised on recommendation of the court to include a return-to-school date of Aug. 26.

— A fifth-grader was expelled May 2 for eight days for possessing a "lookalike" gun. The student was eligible to return May 14.

— A sixth-grader was expelled April 28 for 90 days for possessing a knife. If the student completes counseling, he may be considered for placement in the alternative education program. If all requirements are met, the student can return Nov. 25.

—–

To see more of the York Daily Record, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.ydr.com.

Copyright (c) 2008, York Daily Record, Pa.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.