School security remains key topic for educators
BY ERIN O. STATTEL Correspondent
School is just around the corner and local officials are moving from their summer schedules to discuss safety issues that local schools will face when their doors open in September.

State Assemblyman Michael Panter (D-Monmouth and Mercer) invited local school officials and law enforcement personnel of the 12th District to attend a forum on school security and preparedness. The forum was held on Aug. 10 at Colts Neck High School, Colts Neck, and featured guest speakers Scott Kisch, chief of staff for the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, and Anthony Bland from the New Jersey Department of Education Office of Program Support Services.

"The reason why we are here today is to share information," Panter said. "It occurs to us that every time we get a threat, we talk to superintendents and parents, and each time we all learn."

Among the audience of local school administrators and law enforcement officials were Freehold Regional High School District Superintendent of Schools James Wasser, Manalapan Police Chief Stuart Brown and Marlboro Superintendent of Schools David Abbott.

"We are very fortunate to be able to meet with our law enforcement officials on a regular basis," Wasser said. "Our role as school personnel has changed."

"When it comes to school security it is a team effort," said Sfc. Michael Scala of the Infrastructure Security Unit of the New Jersey State Police, who was present at the forum.

"Administrators, teachers and law enforcement all need to be able to work together. We would also like to get students and parents involved to make a complete coordinated effort," Scala said.

Speakers emphasized that safety drills today are much different than the simple fire drills of the past.

"Drills are very different today," Panter said. "We are not just dealing with fires, but with the threat of bombs and individuals with weapons and the like."

Kisch explained that the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security thinks of the added measures as "hometown" security.

"While I am glad the drama of past events has not occurred in New Jersey, any solution we come up with has to bring all people involved together," Kisch said, referring to the shootings at an Amish school in Pennsylvania last fall and the more recent shooting at Virginia Tech in Virginia this past spring.

Kisch also said the task forces would like to add the efforts of local fire personnel to the communication process.

Bland outlined how schools and local law enforcement can work together to implement plans to be prepared in case of any emergency, not just a shooting or terrorist activity, but also natural disasters such as flooding, tornadoes and hurricanes.

"Collaboration and communication are key elements," Bland said. "If you do not have a plan, you plan to fail."

Bland went on to explain that every school in New Jersey is required to have a safety plan. He also stressed the importance of schools being able to provide mental health support, among other programs, for students and all others who have been involved in an emergency.

School administrators can request technical assistance from the Department of Education to help train staff members for emergency management. Training can be requested through the state Department of Education Internet Web site.

Bland reiterated the sentiment that was expressed by some of the superintendents who were on hand for the presentation - times have changed and schools need to communicate with local authorities.

Police and school administrators seemed upbeat about the meeting.

"Today's meeting was a good idea," Freehold Borough Police Lt. Philip Ecks

State Assembly candidate Amy Mallet, said. "I still think that we should all try to get parents involved as well, but today was just the beginning."

"I think this meeting was a good idea," said Bob Mahon, the interim superintendent of schools in the Colts Neck K-8 School District. "In this day and age it is particularly good to know the proper procedures. Coordination with police is more and more vital and it is good to see so many police officers here today."

Both speakers, Kisch and Bland, acknowledged that New Jersey legislators consider school security to be a vital aspect of the Homeland Security jurisdiction. who is running with Panter for a two-year term in the 12th District, agreed.

"I am a parent with teenage children in the school systems as well," Mallet said. "If it isn't a priority on the national level, we better make it one on the state level."

Educators and local law enforcement personnel can look forward to a new school year with new emergency procedures and an emphasis on school safety.

"This is new territory for many of us, but communication is going to be key," Panter said. "I hope today is just the start of an open dialogue."