Concerned Parent Asks Warsaw Schools About Safety
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
Long went before the Warsaw School Board Monday night to ask what measures they are taking to prevent a school shooting from happening here.
“Failing to plan is planning to fail,” Long said.
Board Vice President Matt Dick thanked Long for his comments and said he understood his concerns as he too is a father of Warsaw students and husband of a teacher. He said they’ve had a number of discussions on the issue, but turned it over to Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz.
Hintz stated the school corporation has considered many safety proposals. Each of the schools’ administrators have been through safety training, and each school has a safety plan. There are building “codes” principals share with staff.
All of the schools practice safety drills, like they would for a tornado, fire or other emergency.
Hintz said the safety team has taken a look at the entrances to all buildings and Warsaw Community Schools is installing buzzers at all of the front doors and panic buttons in every front office.
He said the school corporation is grateful for providing three full-time officers, including a school resource officer at the high school and one at each of the middle schools. The middle school resource officers each have four elementary schools they visit. The city also provides a crossing guard on Ind. 15.
“The next step is investigating if that’s enough,” Hintz said. “That is going on right now. We’re meeting with county and city officials.”
Board member Dan Metzger, also a parent, told Long, “I don’t feel comfortable until there’s armed security at all of our schools. ... It can’t happen too soon for me.”
Metzger and Dick both offered to talk to Long about school security after the meeting, and Dick gave Long his phone number.
In other business, the board:
• Heard student enrollment is 7,091 students, up 87 students over the last calendar year. Two new teachers on temporary contract will have to be hired at two elementary schools for the balance of the school year because of the enrollment increase. Additionally, Jefferson is at full capacity.
• Heard a “state of the corporation” report from Hintz. A two-part video of his report is on the Times-Union website under the free video section.
• Heard from Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott that Warsaw Schools is struggling to get bus drivers. Anyone interested in driving a bus and working with students all day should contact the transportation department.
• Announced the February board work session will be Feb. 12 at 4 p.m., and the February regular meeting will be Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.
There will be no school Feb. 18 in honor of President’s Day.
School will be in session March 29. This was a scheduled snow make up day, which will be used to make up for school being canceled Nov. 21 due to dense fog.
• Heard a presentation from Katherine Kubacki, who presented Hintz with a “Superintendent of the Year” plaque from State Rep. Rebecca Kubacki and the Indiana legislature.[[In-content Ad]]
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Long went before the Warsaw School Board Monday night to ask what measures they are taking to prevent a school shooting from happening here.
“Failing to plan is planning to fail,” Long said.
Board Vice President Matt Dick thanked Long for his comments and said he understood his concerns as he too is a father of Warsaw students and husband of a teacher. He said they’ve had a number of discussions on the issue, but turned it over to Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz.
Hintz stated the school corporation has considered many safety proposals. Each of the schools’ administrators have been through safety training, and each school has a safety plan. There are building “codes” principals share with staff.
All of the schools practice safety drills, like they would for a tornado, fire or other emergency.
Hintz said the safety team has taken a look at the entrances to all buildings and Warsaw Community Schools is installing buzzers at all of the front doors and panic buttons in every front office.
He said the school corporation is grateful for providing three full-time officers, including a school resource officer at the high school and one at each of the middle schools. The middle school resource officers each have four elementary schools they visit. The city also provides a crossing guard on Ind. 15.
“The next step is investigating if that’s enough,” Hintz said. “That is going on right now. We’re meeting with county and city officials.”
Board member Dan Metzger, also a parent, told Long, “I don’t feel comfortable until there’s armed security at all of our schools. ... It can’t happen too soon for me.”
Metzger and Dick both offered to talk to Long about school security after the meeting, and Dick gave Long his phone number.
In other business, the board:
• Heard student enrollment is 7,091 students, up 87 students over the last calendar year. Two new teachers on temporary contract will have to be hired at two elementary schools for the balance of the school year because of the enrollment increase. Additionally, Jefferson is at full capacity.
• Heard a “state of the corporation” report from Hintz. A two-part video of his report is on the Times-Union website under the free video section.
• Heard from Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott that Warsaw Schools is struggling to get bus drivers. Anyone interested in driving a bus and working with students all day should contact the transportation department.
• Announced the February board work session will be Feb. 12 at 4 p.m., and the February regular meeting will be Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.
There will be no school Feb. 18 in honor of President’s Day.
School will be in session March 29. This was a scheduled snow make up day, which will be used to make up for school being canceled Nov. 21 due to dense fog.
• Heard a presentation from Katherine Kubacki, who presented Hintz with a “Superintendent of the Year” plaque from State Rep. Rebecca Kubacki and the Indiana legislature.[[In-content Ad]]
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