VANDALIA, Ohio (WDTN) – The Vandalia-Butler school district begins their new year Wednesday, August 22, and some new faces will be roaming the halls.
Superintendent, Rob O’Leary, said that a partnership with a local security firm has been in the works for months and it will be in action starting the first day of school.
“We’ve spent the summer planning this,” said O’Leary. “Not a day has gone by that we haven’t talked about safety and security.”
He said it has been a discussion since February, after a community forum following the Parkland, Florida shooting.
This year, they are rolling out five elements of a comprehensive safety plan, and this new three-year contract with G2G Solutions LLC is a major part of that plan.
“(The) partnership means that we’ll have an armed safety officer with law enforcement background all day, everyday throughout the school year,” said O’Leary.
The safety officers will monitor all five schools and will be required to have that law enforcement background.
O’Leary said this is not a school resource officer and will not replace the frequent monitoring by the local police departments.
“(They) will continue to come into our buildings like they have,” said O’Leary. “Continue the presence in the mornings and afternoons and after school like they had done over the years, so this is an extension of that.”
One parent of a Vandalia-Butler student said it is reassuring to see their commitment to the students.
“I definitely think it’s a good idea,” said Abby Arnett. “Especially in these days and times, you can’t go wrong with extra security.”
