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School committee begins review of 'Safe Schools' policy after public questions about SROs and law-enforcement access
Summary
The School Committee conducted a first reading of a new 'Safe Schools' policy that formalizes protocols for law-enforcement access to nonpublic school areas; speakers asked for explicit language to preserve existing relationships with school resource officers and clarify that routine positive interactions with local police are not restricted.
The School Committee held a first reading, March 4, of a proposed new KL "Safe Schools" policy designed to formalize procedures for limiting access to nonpublic areas of school buildings to authorized individuals.
Pam Panero, a parent and former family with law-enforcement ties, urged the committee to explicitly recognize the role of school resource officers (SROs) and other officers who mentor and support students, noting the policy as drafted could be read as restricting beneficial interactions.
The draft policy cites state obligations that require schools to control access to nonpublic areas; it also states, as written, that law enforcement officers will not be allowed to enter nonpublic areas without a judicially issued warrant, court order or parent/guardian consent. During discussion, committee members and administration representatives clarified the policy was not intended to curtail routine SRO engagement or partnerships with the Police Department, and they said the wording can be refined before a second read.
Jennifer Lima (policy committee) moved to discuss the new KL policy on a first read and the advisory committee recommended language edits to ensure the policy distinguishes routine SRO activity from outside law enforcement access. Committee members asked the administration to consult legal counsel and, if necessary, town-level safety advisory bodies about whether the policy belongs within school-safety policies or under a separate section for law-enforcement access.
Chair Erin Earl and legal staff agreed to review the draft and proposed edits; the committee will consider revised language at a subsequent meeting. No vote to adopt the policy occurred.
Ending: The committee will return the KL Safe Schools policy for revision and legal review. The administration will work with legal counsel to ensure the policy protects student safety while preserving positive SRO relationships and routine, non-adversarial police engagement in schools.
