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School safety officer defends strict discipline, urges recognition for safety staff
Summary
An unnamed safety officer told the meeting that protecting students is her top priority, described a strict disciplinary approach for 378 students, praised longtime colleague Officer Ward and called for equal recognition of safety staff across the district. No formal action or vote on the topic was recorded in the transcript.
A safety officer speaking at the meeting said protecting students is her top priority and urged the district to recognize safety staff alongside other employees.
"Our core value in safety and security, the motto is protect and serve. So that is my number 1 priority, my number 1 concern, and actually my number 1 accommodation to all 378 of my kids, protect and serve," the safety officer said.
The officer said discipline and clear expectations are central to that mission, adding that she tries to prepare students for high school and adulthood. "I want you to be a safety officer. So with me, my kids say I'm just too strict and too disciplined, but you have to be strict in order to make them follow discipline, and they have to be disciplined in order to be productive," she said.
She also praised a colleague, Officer Ward, for consistent attendance and long service: "One of the things with Officer Ward is she's here every day, worked with her over 15 years, and, I don't think she's missed more than a handful of days during that time." The speaker said many safety officers share the same commitment: "It is over 85% of us that are exactly like me. We don't take off. When we do take off, it's gotta be something drastic."
The safety officer asked the public to ask how long safety staff have worked in the district before passing judgment and urged equal recognition: "So the same recognition they give every other person around this district, they should also give us."
The transcript records these remarks and expressions of support for safety staff but does not show a formal motion, vote, or other official action tied to the statements.
