South Euclid‑Lyndhurst board hears safety update; SROs describe school partnerships

At its Dec. 9 special work session, the South Euclid‑Lyndhurst Board of Education received a district safety update focused on statewide guidance, school resource officer (SRO) partnerships and student supports.

Assistant Superintendent Miss Thompson told the board the presentation will be posted online and emphasized continuity in the district’s safety tools after a recent staff departure. "Mr. Wiley resigned … he did a lot while he was here in our district," she said, and added that core systems — including the district’s visitor management and drill documentation handled through Raptor and other platforms — remain in place.

Thompson said the district is aligning with the Ohio School Safety Center and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce framework so it can access training and best practices. She said the district has used free trainings and tabletop exercises offered by the state center and is implementing goals that cover prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery.

On student reporting and intervention, Thompson described the district’s anti‑harassment and bullying process (forms handled by "Miss Emler") and the Safer Ohio tip line, a statewide reporting channel the district uses at no cost. "When we register … we are required to share the contact information for our local law enforcement," she said, and added that reported tips are routed to law enforcement and communicated to district staff when appropriate so schools can respond.

Thompson cited state requirements behind several programs: she referenced House Bill 123 in connection with suicide prevention and PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) and noted parents’ opt‑out rights under related parental‑rights legislation referred to in the presentation.

SROs who serve the district described day‑to‑day work and school‑level responses. Detective Alan Beal of the Lyndhurst police described a group chat used by SROs and patrol officers to share information in real time and explained "Handle With Care" notifications that alert schools when disruptive incidents occur at home so staff can adjust supports. "We just put an email out to a certain group … to give them a heads up," he said, adding that most mediations end without charges.

Officer Joe DeLillo of the South Euclid Police Department described efforts to resolve incidents within schools when appropriate and to reserve juvenile‑court referrals for cases that require that step. He highlighted youth outreach programs including the youth police academy and an annual "Shop with a Cop" event that brings officers and students together.

Officer Dave Lazada (as recorded in the presentation) stressed rapport building and crisis‑intervention training, and described juvenile‑diversion practices intended to prevent formal charges when circumstances allow. Police‑foundation programs that support Safety Town, scholarships and seasonal drives were also noted.

Board members and parents repeatedly praised the SROs’ presence, saying visible, routine engagement with students has helped build trust. The meeting then moved on to an announced executive session on personnel matters.

Why it matters: The update outlines how the district is interpreting and implementing state school‑safety mandates and shows active coordination between schools and local law enforcement. For parents and staff, the presentation aimed to clarify how tips and notifications flow to schools and when law enforcement becomes involved.

What’s next: The presentation will be posted online for review, and board members directed no formal policy changes during the session; the board later moved into executive session for personnel at 6:43 p.m.