Radford board renews memorandum with police department to continue school–police partnership

The Radford City School Board voted Aug. 19 to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Radford City Police Department that district leaders said formalizes an ongoing safety partnership. Superintendent Dr. Joyce told the board the MOU “aims to help that partnership grow” and noted that the agreement has little change from prior versions. In her presentation she thanked officers by name, saying the district was “so thankful to have officer Connor, officer Beasley, officer Bowen, officer Rose, and Eric Martin” supporting school activities. During the meeting the operations director reviewed site-based security work tied to recent facilities projects, and the superintendent noted coordination with Radford University for reunification planning and with the police department on drills and camera systems. The board approved the MOU during action items by voice vote. Why it matters: The MOU governs operational coordination between the school division and law enforcement on issues such as campus access, daily presence of officers and emergency response; school staff said those arrangements underpin recent safety drills and the district’s updated camera and gate work. Background and scope: Dr. Joyce described recent reunification planning that includes use of Radford University facilities because of their separate access points. The operations presentation that preceded the action items addressed completed and in-progress capital items (concession roof, new track, signage and a gated entrance) and how access and vendor pickups are being managed under the new gate-card system.