Parents criticize lack of notice after Schuylkill Valley implements MOU placing officers in schools

Schuylkill Valley School District officials told the board that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Northern Berks Police has placed an officer on district grounds at least two days per week since March, a presence that prompted public criticism about poor communication from parents at the board meeting.

Parents said the implementation was announced informally and that families and students were not given clear advance notice. Carol Weint, a Berne Township resident, said the lack of an explicit update left parents and students surprised and, in at least one case, frightened when officers arrived at school.

“Do we have an SRO now? Will there be other officers in the school? … you do something and you can't even communicate that something was done after all the controversy,” Weint told the board, criticizing how the district described the arrangement at previous meetings and asking for clearer communication to families.

The district solicitor, Mister Mull, said the MOU was prepared quickly and implemented in March. “Beginning as of March, for the entirety of the school day, at least 2 school days per week, we do have a police officer that is around on the grounds, goes to the various buildings, interacts with students, and my understanding is it's been a great program all around,” Mull said, describing the agreement as a rapid response negotiated with the police solicitor.

Superintendent Dr. Tashner told the board she had received the MOU shortly before the meeting and that Dr. Winters met with every principal so building leaders could brief faculty on what to expect. “Each principal met with their faculty to explain that the officers would be in school,” Tashner said, adding that principals had confirmed the meetings took place and that the district intended to welcome officers and communicate about the presence.

At the meeting, some parents said they wanted earlier, direct notification to students and families when law-enforcement presence in buildings changes, particularly following recent high-profile safety incidents discussed at previous meetings. Board members and staff did not record a formal vote on the MOU during the meeting; the solicitor and superintendent described the arrangement as already implemented under the agreement.

The district said it will continue internal briefings for principals and staff. Parents at the meeting asked the board to adopt clearer public-notification steps so families are informed in advance when officers will be in schools.

No formal policy change or board vote approving the MOU was recorded in the meeting minutes; board members moved on to other agenda items after the discussion.