Washington County schools report expanded safety employee program, cite fewer fights and new operational supports

Washington County Public Schools officials told the Board of Education that a multi-year effort to place school safety employees (SSEs) in schools is providing daily operational support to principals and teachers and has been associated with reductions in some categories of student discipline.

School safety employees are stationed at seven schools and are tasked with monitoring students, staff and visitors during the school day, assisting with mandated drills and performing perimeter and restroom checks, said the district official who leads the safety program, mister Pru. "Our school safety employees are responsible for monitoring the safety of students and staff and visitors throughout our buildings and immediately around the perimeter of the school," mister Pru said.

District leaders and principals said SSEs…