The safety of Jamesville-DeWitt students and staff remains a top priority for the administration and Board of Education. That’s why it’s one of the three focus areas in the district’s next strategic plan. “Blueprint for Excellence” was adopted by the board during Monday’s regular meeting.
In an effort to get a head start on the focus area of safe and efficient operations, administrators and the board are evaluating the addition of weapon detection systems at school buildings. They’ve been discussing potential benefits, challenges, and the impact it would have on anyone coming into schools. They also plan to gather stakeholder input.
The district is contacting companies to learn more about different weapon detection systems available, identify cost differences, and learn how they could be used at Jamesville-DeWitt schools. Administrators have also visited other local school districts to observe the systems they use and see firsthand how it impacts students and staff.
Superintendent Peter Smith also provided the board with an update on the hiring process for School Patrol Officers.
“The district has a number of interviews lined up this month, but many of the candidates are retiring in June. Unfortunately, this means they wouldn’t be available to start working for the district until the fall,” shared Smith. “I know this has taken a lot longer than expected. We’ve faced several obstacles while navigating the hiring process for these positions. We remain dedicated to finding qualified candidates who are the best fit for our schools.”