Springfield slates school safety meeting
SPRINGFIELD >> All Springfield School District parents, caregivers and any interested community members are invited to a meeting starting 7 p.m. on Oct. 8 at E. T. Richardson Middle School, 20 W. Woodland Ave. The topic is one of the most critical facing schools today: Safety.
In June, Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation creating a School Safety and Security Committee within Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The committee is tasked with developing the criteria school entities are to use in performing school safety and security assessments, issuing a survey to school entities to measure school safety and security preparedness, and administering grants.
The district was “ahead of the curve,” said Sgt. Michael Vaughan. Security has been a factor in renovations and as new construction is planned. The district has maintained a positive and active relationship with the Springfield Township Police Department, and officers routinely visit the schools for walks through and, frankly, as a presence.
In May 2018, after careful consideration, the school board approved hiring Vaughan as the director of school safety. Springfield is one of a few Delaware County school districts with a director as a dedicated position, and not assumed by an administrator with other responsibilities. Through a separate and mandated court hearing, Vaughan is also approved to assume police powers if and when needed.
Vaughan had served for 26 years with the Springfield Police Department, lived in the district, and was known to the community. That, Vaughan said, was a factor in his decision to take the position.
“I was hired in Springfield in 1992, having been an officer for SEPTA. I got into police work to be in a community. That’s why this job was so attractive. I raised three children in Springfield; the youngest is still in the school district,” said Vaughan.
Familiar with the schools and procedures through his police experience, Vaughan launched into extensive planning for the districts overall safety program starting in May.
“There are guidelines for all staff and students, and we were much ahead of the planning before school started in September. Staff training took place before school opened. We had a session the first day of high school for students, and they were very invested in the process. Age appropriate and site specific training is in progress for all schools,” Vaughan said.
“It’s important that all stakeholders be trained as to why we are doing what we are doing. Among other things, we will go over some of the changes made in our crisis plan,” he added, encouraging a substantial turnout on Oct. 8.
“The single, greatest topic of discussion in our schools today must center on the safety of our students, staff and families,” stated Schools Superintendent Tony Barber. “We are delighted that our school board has dedicated such attention to this initiative, and we wholeheartedly know that Sgt. Vaughan is absolutely the right person to lead us in this department.”