Ohio District Increasing Number of Security Staff
The size of Columbus City Schools’ safety and security staff is slated to increase by more than 50 percent, as the district hires new staff members this summer.
- By Jessica Davis
- June 28, 2019
The size of Columbus City Schools’ safety and security staff is slated to increase by more than 50 percent, as the district hires new staff members this summer.
Columbus City Schools plans to hire 31 new staff members during this summer. The new hires will be assigned to campuses at all levels, from elementary to high school.
The new hires will allow for two security staff members at most of the high school campuses, as well as a Columbus Police school resource officer. There will also be security staff now placed at all of the middle schools and some of the elementary campuses.
The goal is for the new security staff members to build relationships with students while ensuring that campuses are safe.
Columbus City Schools School Safety Director Chris Ward described the district’s safety and security measures.
“We have over five thousand cameras in the district, and growing and what we try to do is be that extra set of eyes and ears for our security staff, building administrators, school staff,” Ward said.
Superintendent Dr. Talisa Dixon said increasing the district’s safety and security staff was a matter of prioritizing.
“Safety is important for our students and our staff and our parents,” Dixon said. “I want our students to come to a safe school with people they can build relationships with and I believe this is going to provide that for us.”
According to Dixon, seven of the new positions were promised via a levy. The others result from data compiled on incidents per school and looking at crime in surrounding neighborhoods, among other factors.
Ward said security and safety staff serve as mentors and coaches as well as performing their duties of securing the building.
“That is what’s so important,” he said. “Our young people are looking for adults to help them through their development, and that’s what the 31 additional staff will do.”
Next year, the number of Columbus Police School Resource Officers will stay at 19, but there will be three truancy officers added.
About the Author
Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.