[BHS Etree] PTSA: Follow-up interviews with 3 BHS Safety Officers

[BHS Etree]

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PTSA Follow-up Interviews with 3 BHS Safety Officers


As of the February 7th School Board meeting, for 2018-19 the District's revised recommendation is to cut 2 of BHS's 15 Safety Officer staff positions and have 2 substitute officers take their place. In light of this and last week's high school shooting in Florida, the PTSA checked in with the recently interviewed BHS safety officers to get their thoughts and reactions.


Follow-up with Eric Riley


I feel like our part of the job is knowing kids. Some of the kids in Parkland were tipped off. Social media plays a big role; this kid posted his intentions. It's important that we safety officers have relationships with kids. Most of what we deal with is tipped off by the kids. When we know in advance, we can alert the Berkeley Police Department (BPD), go straight to the kid and take the kid to an isolated area to de-escalate. Every adult that has a kid in their life should build a relationship so that the kid doesn't feel isolated. I feel that it starts with a relationship, the building of a relationship changes the outcome for that person. I try to acknowledge every kid I see to let them know "you're not invisible."


We have ways of identifying kids who don't belong on campus; we've caught plenty and we escort them out. We don't have metal detectors and we don't search kids' packs so we can't stop concealed weapons from coming in, but we have lots of hours of armed intruder training. We've trained with BPD and recently with a SWAT team and specialist in arms security. If something were to happen we have protocols to follow to isolate and react. It's good that BPD is across the street.


Follow up with Walter Mitchell


We've looked at all these incidents and we're concerned that the same thing could happen at Berkeley High. As a community, when an incident like the Parkland shooting happens, the BHS staff bonds together. We become more mindful of what's going on within the campus and outside the gates. When going through our usual emergency procedures and drills, all the staff takes it more seriously; at this point we've got 100% participation.


I'm concerned that the District takes these risks too lightly. It's offering assurances in one breath but cutting safety officers in another. BHS has changed for the better because its safety officers work together. The campus is as safe as it can be with the people we've got, but we have areas of concerns; certain areas aren't covered, and now we're looking at losing officers. The District plan is for subs to fill the positions, which begs the question if we have to have subs why are we cutting staff positions? I guess the District will save money by not paying for staff benefits, but replacing staff with subs isn't a safety solution. Subs don't have our level training; moreover, most subs won't engage. Instead, when something happens their response is to call for help. For example, a retired District employee is now subbing and when a group of kids are acting up he'll call on us and watch versus engage. This means we're leaving our positions to separate kids. Right now we spend 90% of our time at our assignments; if we have subs instead of Safety Officers we'll be spending less time at our positions. As I said, subs are not a safety solution.


Follow-up with Steve Saunders


I've felt it's the luck of the draw that nothing has happened here. Because of the size of the school and where it is, I've always feared it's a matter of time. The campus is in close proximity to a park frequented by homeless and mentally unstable people. Berkeley's schools have an unusual mix of students, and the high school brings them all together. Some kids aren't strong to take it; some of them should be at a smaller school. Some of the kids have emotional problems. We have more bullying because of social media; bullying is more prevalent because it's much easier for a student to have access to another. When kids hear about shootings, I think it gives some kids ideas, like wanting to be a social media star or in the news. It's scary. It could happen here, we have all the ingredients.


I think it's completely ridiculous for the District to cut back on safety. We're already stretched, now it's going to take us longer to get to the places we're needed. Our District isn't thinking about adding more, ours is cutting back. This is not the time to be cutting safety resources. As for using subs, there have been many times when we've gone for days without a position filled because no subs are available, I think there are 3 people on the current sub list. It makes no sense. Safety is the biggest concern for most school kids around the country; BHS is no exception. Last week kids in the hallways were talking about the Florida shooting. Kids came to me and asked questions, like "has Berkeley had any incidents like this?" They want to see us in the hallways and know that we will protect them. Our presence makes school better for them and better for their learning. Imagine how kids will feel when they don't see safety officers. Staff too will have to look longer and harder to find us. It makes no sense to me that next year BHS kids and staff will come to school and work feeling less safe.

The PTSA urges you to express your support for keeping BHS's 15 Safety Officers by coming to the School Board Meeting this Wednesday, February 21st. Our website http://bhs.berkeleypta.org<http://bhs.berkeleypta.org/> has more information and a mailto link.

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