Tightening security throughout Warsaw Community Schools by restricting access will be proposed at the July school board meeting.

Started last year on a pilot program at Washington and Harrison elementaries, the restricted access policy was accepted by staff, students and parents, Harrison principal Randy Polston told the school board Monday.

"This was not to lock anybody out, as far as taxpayers or volunteers, and it was not to lock any children in," Polston said of the policy that limited entry to the school to the door nearest the office. "For the most part everybody was positive. ... Parents were pleased that the school is concerned about the safety of their children."

Principals of both schools said they worked with parent-teacher organizations in developing plans for their schools. Rande Thorpe, WCS business manager, said the problem is in the design of some of the schools.

"Not one of our buildings is designed very well for security," he said. However, by applying creative solutions, he said, "we think we can make something work in every building."

No incidents have instigated the security policy, said school Superintendent Dr. Lee Harman. "We're trying to project ahead and make sure we don't have a tragedy that could be avoided."

"It is sad that we have to look at this kind of program to keep our kids safe," Polston said. "But we want to be proactive instead of reactive."

The board invited public comment on the policy. Anyone wanting to make an opinion known should contact Harman or a school board member.

The school board unanimously approved extending programs for at-risk students at both middle schools. Lakeview principal Pat Deck told the board their all-day program is making a difference.

"We've really salvaged some kids," she said, and the program has helped keep some students in school who wouldn't otherwise be there.

Deck said Lakeview also has seen a dramatic reduction in disciplinary problems through the program, and that benefits all students.

Edgewood principal Jerry Chabot said their program is two hours a day and applies to eight to 10 students.

"Our gains were modest," he said, though behavior and attendance improved. "We would like to see academic results improve with time."

Both principals said they are planning to make some changes in their programs, but that both programs need to continue.

Deck said the number of at-risk students continues to climb.

"We see an increase in the number every year of students with tremendous needs," she said.

Chabot said the program must continue if it is to be effective.

"You can't fix at-risk kids in one year. You've got to stay with them," he said.

In other business, Dennis VanDuyne, WCS's technology coordinator, told the board that the number of computers used by schools is increasing, as is the teachers' skill level, but weak areas remain.

Networking - connecting classrooms and schools - should be a priority, as should helping teachers use computers as teaching tools, integrating curriculum and technology, making resources available after school hours, and making resources available to students.

VanDuyne said the school system is using its computer equipment as long as it possibly can: of the 1,773 computers in use this year, 900 are more than five years old and 200 are more than 10 years old.

The school board meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month in the administration building. [[In-content Ad]]