First Meeting of School Security Council Tuesday

Since the events of Dec. 14, 2012 in neighboring Newtown, Brookfield officials have been analyzing and looking to upgrade security at the town’s four public school buildings. Along with a three-phase plan to increase safety measures in the buildings and a proposal in the 2013-14 budget to add a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO), the town has brought together a School Security Advisory Council (SSAC), with the first meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. on March 5 in room 209 of Town Hall.

According to the resolution establishing the SSAC, the council will have the following charges:

• Provide counsel on school safety audits that have already been conducted and identify best practices that schools have implemented that would be helpful to all and review any audit findings that have not been addressed. 
• Advise improvements to K-12 school safety protocols and procedures to ensure a safe learning environment.
• Propose a mechanism for schools and localities to identify and share the best practices for improved school safety on an ongoing and continuing basis.
• Suggest additional resources, programs, or tools that outside agencies (State Department of Education, Brookfield Police Department, Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security) could make available to Brookfield Schools. 
• Recommend needed improvements to school safety policies or procedures.
• Review the recommendations set forth in previous state and national reports and studies and provide strategies for implementation of relevant, realistic recommendations that would enhance school safety.
• Serve as a communications conduit to and from the community.

The SSAC members include Chief of Police Robin Montgomery; First Selectman Bill Davidson; Board of Education Chairman Ray DiStephan; Superintendent of Schools Anthony Bivona; Schools Director of Special Services Charles Manos; Schools Director of Business, Technology and Operations Art Colley; Parks and Recration Director Dennis DiPinto; Whiconier Middle School Principal Deane Renda; 5-12 teacher representative Deb Burch; 5-12 parent representative Danielle Gallop; PK-4 teacher representative Lorna Bufkin; PK-4 parent representative Lisa Whalen; and parent and resident Chris Delia.