Mr. Goetz outlined new procedures being employed for better security in the high school, including re-stationing school monitors at key access points and an emphasis on a sealed campus with single entry points.
John Jay High School Principal John Goetz (Reece Alvarez photo)
Both measures were challenges for the high school, as the size and design of the school poses difficulty and the number of monitors has decreased over the years because of budget cuts, he said.
As a building that has evolved out of multiple separate buildings joined over time, the high school has an abundance of doors, courtyards and accessways that require students to travel in and out of the building as they move through their day, he said.
“Is it 100% [secure]? No it’s not. I’ll be the first one to admit that to you,” he said. “The reality of it is you can never 100% guarantee the security and safety of a large sprawling campus, so you do the best you can.”
Some inexpensive improvements have been requested, such as two-way radios, and Mr. Goetz touted the new school resource officer slated to begin Feb. 20 as a significant safety measure for the district and an even greater resource and support for students for legal advice and guidance.
Sean Harris
February 24, 2013
To improve safety, the District needs to investigate the Director of Special Education and the outrageous interventions she has recently suggested.
Sean Harris
February 24, 2013
The Director suggested that a teacher bring a twig in from outside, put it in the commode and have the student pee on it. Is this a legitimate intervention? Would any one in their right mind endorse this?
Allissa Cohen
February 24, 2013
I do hope the BOE investigates this. It would appear extremely unprofessional for an educator to intervene in this fashion. Almost sounds abusive? There have been many complaints about this Director.
Lewis Brat
February 25, 2013
Wow. in consideration of the students with Special Needs safety and character preservation, perhaps the Director of Special Education should have both a psychiatric evaluation and/or an IQ test?
Claire
February 25, 2013
The comments are unusually quiet when the BOE lovers know there is a big problem. A big problem with leadership.