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Perkiomen Valley board hears Safe Schools update as new school officers are sworn in
Summary
The board swore in newly hired school police officers and heard a Safe Schools report from Dean Miller detailing training, grants and emergency planning, including mandatory Act 55 training and a $45,000 hardening grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Perkiomen Valley School District swore in newly hired school police officers and received a districtwide Safe Schools update from Dean Miller, the district safety lead.
Miller told the board the district completed mandatory Act 55 training for staff and that the district has a threat-assessment team and an emergency operations plan that will be updated with neighboring districts. "Our purpose here is to be legally compliant, to give a report to the board, which I did do prior to this meeting in executive session," Miller said, summarizing the year’s safety-related work.
Miller said the district received a $45,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to pay for "hardening" measures, and that an interior-lock RFP and related projects are underway; he also said a combined $315,000 in grant funding will support interior safety upgrades. He described ongoing work with the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety, state police, and local municipal partners for coordinated emergency response, and said the district has a radiological response plan tied to the Limerick Generating Station.
Board members asked about a planned high-school vestibule renovation, outreach to Project Adam/CHOP for heart-safe schools and how training will reach special-needs students; Miller said a district nurse and the wellness committee are coordinating follow-ups and additional CPR/AED sessions will be offered for staff during the summer.
The report also noted the district’s newly credentialed criminal justice status, which Miller said allows the district to work more directly with courts when needed. The board did not take immediate formal action on safety projects during the presentation but discussed updating MOUs with neighboring law enforcement to reflect the district’s new school police role and responsibilities.
The swearing-in ceremony preceded the report. Judge Rebar administered the oath as officers pledged to "faithfully discharge" their duties and to "encourage and mentor our students without consideration to a person's race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability."
