Residents Address School Board Work Session

NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. by: John Gerow (RVO) – Redbank Valley residents turned out en masse to participate in the School Board’s work session Wednesday evening in the Redbank Valley High School library. More than 50 parents, teachers, recent graduates and current students turned crowded in the library to listen and to share their ideas with the members of the School Board. Seven area residents addressed the Board during the public comments portion of the meeting. Several spoke in support of the Agriculture, Business Education, Industrial Tech and Family Consumer Science programs; the others asking the Board not to rush into cuts, just to make cuts.

Breaking from convention, Dr. Chad Shaffer began the work session by asking Tom Burk and Mike Bramlet of Armstrong Security and Investigations and New Bethlehem Borough Police Chief Scott Ryan to introduce themselves and present what their organizations could provide the district in terms of school police and in – building security personnel.

Messers. Burk and Bramlet are principles in Armstrong Security and Investigations out of Kittanning. They are both retired police officers and organized the company to provide private security to individuals and organizations on an “as need” basis. Five years ago, Armstrong Security began providing security officers for schools. They currently provide security for Armstrong County Schools and the Leechburg School District. Mr. Burk explained that his group hires only retired police officers and state troopers for their school security detail. This ensures, not only the best-trained people serving, but also those with the most experience. They went on to explain that each district, each building principal sets the criteria and the role of the security officers in that district and building. Oversight for the security officers is provided by the company in concert with the building and district administrations.

Chief Scott Ryan of the New Bethlehem Borough Police addressed the board next, citing the long-term relationship that already exists with his department and the district through event security. “We are already here.” Chief Ryan said. He also pointed out that when there is a disturbance at any of the schools, the New Bethlehem Police will always be the first responders, “We’d already be here.” he said. Although his department has never provided this type of service, Chief Ryan expressed confidence that his staff could rise to the challenge. He also pointed out that having the local police in the buildings daily would allow young people to interact with local police in a positive, caregiving type of environment, which Chief Ryan said that he hoped would result in better long-term relationships between residents and police.

In the discussion following the presentations, board members expressed differing views on the presentations. Heath Copenhaver stated that he liked the idea of using local police, while Dr. Nair said he preferred the organization that has been doing the work already. Dr. Chad Shaffer said that there were benefits to each. Mr. Darren Bain said that he thought that “situational experience” might be more important than “years of experience”. Linda Ferringer shared her thought that using the Borough police would provide additional response in the event of any emergency. Ann Kopnitsky said that she would prefer one organization provide both daily building security and event security, while Bill Reddinger opined that with the layout of the high school, more than 1 security officer would be needed there. The consensus among members was that the job descriptions and needs should be articulated as soon as possible before conducting any further discussion with either organization. Mrs. Ferringer also asked if the Board could meet with other schools in the area that have security to see how the programs are structured. Superintendent Drzewiecki said that he would try to arrange a meeting with the Armstrong County schools this next week.

Still unresolved in the security discussion, is the issue of security for after-school activities. While the doors of the schools are locked during class hours, during sports practices and other afternoon activities the high school building is wide open. All of the board members realize that this weak spot in security will have to be addressed, but that moving ahead with class day security should not be held back while this is resolved. Member Dee Bell suggested that the Booster Club members be involved in the discussions regarding after school security. Heath Copenhaver said, “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel, let’s move forward with event security as current and school hours initially.”

Discussion next turned to the security screens that are planned for the front doors and the long windows beside the doors. Mr. Reddinger questioned if hurricane glass might be more effective. District Maintenance Supervisor John Sayers told the Board that hurricane glass is designed to keep windows from shattering and to prevent shards of glass from flying around. It is not intended to prevent windows from breaking and it is extremely expensive. Ann Kopnitsky voiced her concern that the security screens would prevent students from escaping the building in the event of a fire or other catastrophic event. Mr. Drzewiecki explained that classroom windows were not going to be screened.

Board President Chad Shaffer next opened the meeting for public comment. Mr. Clint Hetrick addressed the board to express his support for the Agricultural Science program. He reminded the board that the high school greenhouse pays for all expenses involved in the agricultural program. He also pointed out that agriculture is still extremely important in both Armstrong and Clarion Counties and that in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania agriculture supports nearly 50,000 people and generates over $9 billion in product annually. He reminded the board that, “without farmers, there is no food, without food, there is no us.” Resident Amy Ferringer spoke in favor of the business, technology, and Family Consumer science programs by asking the board, “do you really know what these classes provide.” Class of 2013 graduate Sabrina Doverspike told the board members that what she had learned in the Family Consumer Science classes was far more valuable to her than the 2 years of Spanish that she took. Family Consumer Science teacher Mrs. Barbara Orange spoke in support of the electives citing numerous examples of students who had found their career paths in these offerings.

Several residents spoke of the need to be careful before making cuts. Current Student Colin Shaffer said, “I am sure that everybody in this room tonight has the full faith in this board to make decisions. I am urging the Board to take whatever time is needed.” Mrs. Lisa Goth, New Bethlehem business person and an alumnus of Redbank Valley High School shared her thoughts on the work that she and the rest of the Finance Committee have been doing. She said that in the dozens of hours that the committee has worked they have just scratched the surface of savings and new revenues that are hiding in the budget. She asked for the Board to be patient, “I ask the Board not to make any decisions right now. Please let the Finance Committee do their job.”

Following the public comments, the Board engaged in a wide-ranging discussion. Member Darren Bain said that he could not support making any cuts without taking more time to consider everything. He said that he was in favor of developing a comprehensive plan before taking action. Mrs. Kopnitsky agreed with Mr. Bain saying that she also thinks that they need to take more time, that there are too many things to consider at once. Linda Ferringer said that the Board needs to prioritize needs and issues before moving forward. Bill Reddinger said that he could not support deferring action unless there was a date certain for the Finance Committee to finalize options. Following further discussion, a consensus was reached. The Finance Committee will submit its full recommendations by December 1.

Dr. Shaffer ended the public portion of the meeting by saying that “this is cyclical. We have this same discussion every year at this time and do nothing. We have to prioritize and safety is my first priority. I am hesitant to wait. The longer we wait to make decisions, the quicker we will have to make them.”

The Board recessed for an Executive Session and did not reopen to the public.

For more on this meeting, please see June 6 Leader-Vindicator newspaper.