Romulus superintendent praises staff and police after security incident, outlines community events

Romulus Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Ben Edmondson told the Board of Education on Jan. 12 that rapid staff and police action during a Tuesday security incident helped keep students safe and that the district’s prior security investments paid off.

"Our police force was here in roughly 90 seconds," Edmondson said, describing the emergency response and thanking the 911 dispatcher, law enforcement and school staff. He singled out Maria Scott and Rheinmeters Middle School staff and commended principals for their leadership during the event. "I'm honored to be the superintendent," he added.

Edmondson said the outcome reflected extensive preparation and training. He told trustees that investments considered previously for weapons detection and other measures had been "money well spent" and asked the community to recognize the many staff members who stepped in during the incident.

The superintendent also announced a slate of community and fundraising events: a Martin Luther King Jr. Day community celebration on Jan. 19 at the high school (noted in the meeting as starting about 9:30 a.m.), a second annual dodgeball fundraiser on Feb. 19 (the district raised about $9,000 last year), and a "steppers ball" planned for Feb. 14 at the high school. Edmondson described a $25 sponsorship model for the dodgeball event and said an objective is to have roughly 30 students per school participate (about $750 in sponsorships per school under that model).

Edmondson said the district will distribute a newspaper-format newsletter twice a year, with printing scheduled by the end of the week to provide community information and solicit feedback from staff before distribution.

On personnel and community matters, Edmondson said longtime colleague Ed Martel informed him that Martel would represent the person accused in the incident; Edmondson asked for "grace" from the community as the legal process unfolds. He also told the board he has discussed retirement plans with his physician and said he expects to consider stepping down in about five years, a personal timeline he shared while asking the community to help him develop outside interests.

The board did not take further action during the public portion of the meeting; trustees continued later business and then moved into a closed session for pending litigation.