City Still Waits on Safety Audit After Violent School Year in Worcester

Friday, July 31, 2015

Patrick Sargent, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Last school year’s string of violence in some of Worcester’s high schools resulted in nearly 50 school employees being assaulted, 40 incidents of weapons being used in a school, and 36 students were assaulted.

In the Spring, Superintendent Dr. Melinda Boone promised a security audit would be ready by the fall.

However, with the start of school only weeks away, Worcester School Committee members are still waiting for the school department’s proposed safety audit.

School Committee member Brian O’Connell told GoLocal, “I have heard nothing at all from our school administration regarding the safety audit timetable. I have the impression from a conversation with Mayor Petty that the administration had found it difficult to locate entities which perform security audit work, but that progress was being made on the RFP for the audit.”

The audit was put in place by Superintendent Dr. Melinda Boone last Spring to look at security measures and procedures in Worcester high schools. At the time, Dr. Boone said the audit would be ready for the fall.

However, the audit is still under review and a request for proposal will be asked for at the August 20 school committee meeting.

“I see no reason at all why an RFP cannot be issued and publicized well prior to our August 20 meeting,” O’Connell said. “In April, we had talked, at least informally, of having the audit completed by the start of the school year. Although the audit will almost certainly not occur now on that timeframe, the administration needs to make this an immediate and urgent priority, for the safety and well-being of our staffs and of our students.”

What Will the Audit Reveal?

Following Dr. Boone’s announcement of a proposed safety audit, city officials told GoLocal that the audit will likely show the need for enhanced wireless communications, outdoor panic devices, projectile-resistant glass, and secure classroom locksets.

At the time, City Councilor Morris Bergman questioned the $500,000 for school safety measures in the city’s budget and whether or not it’s being used properly. Bergman also requested information on costs of metal detectors and full-time WPD officers in Worcester’s high schools.

“I think it's worth noting years ago, when detectors were brought up, the were predominantly only found in places like prisons. Now, you see them more and more and more -- airports, sports arenas. Young people aren't as traumatized by them, they're fairly commonplace,” Bergman told GoLocalWorcester.

Ultimately, the City Council voted against Bergman’s request for info.

"Nothing would have to be permanent, it could be using hand-held wands, or random checks, there's lots of things you can incorporate," said Bergman.

"Would police, metal detectors, and cameras within the schools make our children safer? Many say yes while others say no," said City Councilor Gary Rosen. "Those discussions must continue and be ongoing while we continue to monitor the level of anger, frustration and discontent being shown by a small number of our students."

"The recent events which have taken place in our schools, or in the general vicinity of the schools, clearly constitute a graphic warning sign to us, which we ignore, minimize or discount at our peril, and at the peril of our staff and students,” O'Connell told GoLocal. "We must look closely at all security provisions in all schools, and determine whether we can, and should, do more to protect our staffs and our students. I fully support the security review which will advise us as to the options which are now available, and the areas in which our policies and protections are less than optimal."