Milford Schools Ask for More Cops in School

By Brian McCready, Patch Editor

Milford Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Feser is continuing to make school security a priority as she is seeking an additional $200,000 in next year’s budget, which would partially be used to hire two more police officers and assign them to the schools.

“Security in all school systems across the state has risen to new heights post Sandy Hook and other tragedies and threats to schools across the nation,” Feser said.

She said a growing number of districts have hired a security coordinator, who would assume oversight and leadership of school security in all 14 schools. The position would be paid $70,000 annually.

“This person would be responsible for providing supervision and direction regarding all security issues throughout the district,” Feser said. “He/she will coordinate with the Milford Police Department, ensure compliance with all state security mandates, oversee all crisis response plans and drills, conduct annual mandated training to every district employee, coordinate the implementation of infrastructure improvements … and plan for future improvements as required by the State School Safety Infrastructure Council.”

Police Chief Keith Mello is in support of the position, the superintendent said.

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For example, the person would be present for lockdown drills to provide feedback and ways to improve security.

Middle School Greeters

Feser is seeking $49,500 to hire three greeters, one each for the middle schools. She said the elementary school greeters have helped immensely in making the schools inviting to everyone who enters, but also ensures visitors sign in, and that they are accounted for while in the building.

“Due to the location of the front offices in the middle schools in relation to the front doors, it is very difficult, logistically, for the secretaries to perform effectively the responsibilities of the “Front Door Procedures” that have been adopted by the system,” Feser said.

“The desire is to put a dedicated person at the front door who will provide a presence and a set of eyes to meet/greet each person entering the school,” added Feser.

More Police Officers in Schools

Feser is requesting two additional school resource officers, or cops, costing $37,500 each, which is half the cost of an SRO. The city has been paying half of the police officer’s salary, and Feser said the hope is that 50/50 funding partnership would continue.

Milford currently has four SROs, one each at Jonathan Law and Joseph A. Foran high schools and two SROs for the middle schools and The Academy.

The plan if approved by the Board of Education would be to have one dedicated SRO for each of the three middle schools, and to have one SRO assigned to the eight elementary schools.

“The four SROs currently serving the middle and high schools make an invaluable contribution to the safety of students and to the school climate,” Feser said.

All of the proposed security enhancements Feser is proposing must be approved by the Board of Education.

The school board is scheduled to vote on Feser’s budget request 7 p.m. January 21 in the Parsons Government Center.

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