Resident urges district to shelter students earlier; administration points to Safe2Say anonymous reporting

At the open forum at the Dec. 16 Wyoming Area School Board meeting, resident Walt Stevens described students waiting outside in freezing temperatures before doors opened and asked the district to allow minors inside sooner. He also reported hearing multiple bullying incidents and asked whether an anonymous reporting mechanism exists.

Stevens asked three questions: whether teachers had access to unlocking mechanisms for under-bus entrances, whether students could be allowed inside earlier when it is below freezing, and whether an anonymous reporting system is available for bullying. “They should be allowed in when it's below freezing weather conditions outside,” Stevens said.

Superintendent Pollard responded that security staff typically start duty at 7:15 a.m. and that the administration would follow up with transportation and security to address arrival/timing concerns. On anonymous reporting, Pollard pointed to the Safe2Say system, an anonymous statewide reporting mechanism managed under the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office, and said the system had been used recently for self‑harm reports. “It's an anonymous way to report fully, and we get… reports,” Pollard said, adding the district plans training and uses posters to raise awareness.

Pollard and staff invited Stevens to provide specific dates and details so administrators could investigate security timing and follow up with recommended operational changes.

What’s next: administration committed to follow up with the commenter and with transportation/security staff to reconcile arrival times with door/security staffing and to ensure students know about Safe2Say reporting options.