The topic of student and staff safety in the Saucon Valley School District was brought up at Tuesday’s school board meeting when Lower Saucon Township resident David Repyneck–who penned a letter about the subject that was published Monday–told the board he thinks it should hire a school resource officer, particularly in light of recent local events.
Over the past few weeks there have been a bank robbery, a Hellertown borough employee allegedly caught dealing methamphetamine and a potential threat to schools by a student.
“I keep asking myself, ‘Why is Saucon Valley School District the only public school district in Lehigh and Northampton County that doesn’t have any other type of external security, like a school resource officer?'” Repyneck said. “I think our district needs to address security and the safety of our students, faculty, administrators and such, and I think the best way to do this is to go about the process of acquiring a school resource officer.”
Board president Michael Karabin said he wasn’t sure he agreed with the characterization of Saucon Valley as the only public school district in the two counties without a SRO.
Repyneck said that as an adjunct professor of criminal justice in Lehigh County he has worked with School Resource Ofc. Thomas Bammer in the Parkland School District, and witnessed firsthand the value of a SRO.
“School resource officers–they’re not just all about law enforcement,” Repyneck said. “They are specially trained. They have access to community resources. They build relationships with students, faculty, teachers, community members…(and) they also can respond to a potential security issue or incident much faster than Lower Saucon or Hellertown (police departments) can.”
“It just amazes me that this district is not pursuing this resource,” he said, noting that he “believe(s) the parents and the community members would support this idea” as well as would both local police departments.
“The students have already voiced their opinion on this,” Repyneck said, referencing a protest/walkout by Saucon Valley students following the Parkland, Fla., school shooting last winter. “They want safety and security.”
“I think it’s time for the school district to get with the times,” Repyneck concluded.
He also offered the board information about matching grant money he said is available to school districts to help them afford a school resource officer.
“Just so you are aware, we are having ongoing meetings…with police departments and so forth, to further discuss the whole parameters and so forth,” Karabin said in response to Repyneck’s presentation.
District Superintendent Dr. Craig Butler is also working on addressing security in the schools, Karabin stated.
“We do have a meeting set up with (Lower Saucon Township Police) Chief Barndt next Friday and we’ll be talking about a variety of things and options to consider moving forward,” Butler said. “Secondly, we have a community outreach meeting scheduled for Oct. 10, during which we’ll be sharing with parents and community members what we are currently doing with regard to bolstering our security and safety measures in the school district, which includes a multi-pronged approach centered on mental health services but others as well.”
“We appreciate your comments,” Butler added. “I’m well aware of the interest in the community.”
To watch video of the meeting, see below or click here.
The next Saucon Valley School Board meeting will be held Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. in the high school Audion room. Meetings are normally held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
