Opinions were fairly split among residents at a February 5 Public Hearing called to address the advisability of employing a resource officer or a security guard at Parish Hill High School. But what resonated loudest in the wake of the discussion was an incident which occurred at the school earlier in the day that warranted intervention by the State police.

Though ultimately deemed unfounded, police were called to the school after several students reported a perceived threat to administrators. In a communication sent to parents, Principal Brian Tedeschi stated that 16 students reportedly “heard” a student was planning to bring a gun to school later in the week. State police were “immediately notified and conducted an investigation”, Tedeschi explained, and after interviewing 21 students, concluded that “no threat was ever made, heard, seen, or posted on social media; all was the result of hearsay and rumor.” However, as a precautionary measure police maintained a presence at the school for the rest of the week.

School officials would neither confirm nor deny that the incident occurred when pressed at the public hearing, but shortly afterwards the incident aired on the news and in the press.

Approximately forty tri-town residents attended the forum meant to inform a discussion the Regional District #11 Board of Education has been having for over a year regarding the school’s security. Options include a resource officer or a security guard, armed or unarmed. According to Superintendent Kenneth Henrici, a retired police officer, who would come with training and experience, a pension and benefits, could be the least expensive option at an estimated $42,000 annually.

Both the superintendent and the principal spoke in support of the measure. In an interview prior to the public hearing, Henrici stressed that school climate was not a factor in the consideration of hiring a security personnel. “There’s absolutely nothing going on at the school. It’s just a situation of being proactive,” in response to repeated shootings in schools across the country, he said.  Tedeschi stated that while Parish Hill provides a very safe environment, his concern was also with random forces targeting the school.

Conversely, a petition signed by 23 staff members was submitted in opposition to hiring security personnel, which “would dramatically alter the environment of the school, creating an air of hostility and danger that currently does not exist.”  Teachers were also concerned the cost would result in reductions in instructional staff, noting that the school’s safe climate is achieved through their connections with students who are “not lost in the shuffle of a large district”.

Residents who expressed opposition to the security measure sited costs as well, and some of the students who spoke were concerned about the budgetary impact on staff or programs. Those who spoke in favor of hiring a resource officer, students and residents alike, stipulated that the guard should be armed.

In the coming weeks, the administration expects to poll staff and students, and the school board will continue to discuss the issue during their meetings.