Rhode Island District Makes Safety Changes After Complaints about Middle School

Rhode Island District Makes Safety Changes After Complaints about Middle School

Police had been called to the campus 18 times as of Feb. 1, and police reports showed that a teacher was hurt in October while trying to stop a fight between two students. In early February the school committee voted to create a subcommittee focused on the problems at the school.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • February 27, 2019

Bristol-Warren Regional School District plans to make changes to campus security and safety after complaints about safety and “unruly student behavior” at Kickemuit Middle School.

The plans include hiring a school resource officer and maintaining a police presence on campus, WPRI reported. The middle school will also keep a behavioral specialist on campus five days a week.

The changes were announced at a school committee meeting Monday, during which a special subcommittee on the safety and security of Kickemuit Middle School released a list of proposals to address complaints made by parents, students and staff.

Safety and behavioral problems led to a large number of teachers calling out sick in late January, prompting the district to cancel classes. Police had been called to the campus 18 times as of Feb. 1, and police reports showed that a teacher was hurt in October while trying to stop a fight between two students.

In early February the school committee voted to create a subcommittee focused on the problems at the school.

District Superintendent Dr. Mario Andrade said Monday that the subcommittee would be putting together a “multi-tiered support system” in the next few weeks.

Lawrence Purtill, President of the National Education Association of Rhode Island, said the changes were a move in the right direction but would not be a quick fix.

“What you're going through is not unlike what a lot of school districts are going through,” Purtill said. “Fifty-percent of our students coming into our schools today in almost all grades are having issues. So the mental health concerns and the discipline concerns need to be addressed.”

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Electrified Latch Retraction Locks Key Benefits for Retrofits

    Building owners and facility managers increasingly rely on electrified hardware to enhance security while meeting accessibility standards. Among these technologies, electrified or motorized latch retraction locks are especially effective for retrofit projects where existing door and frame conditions complicate upgrades. Latch retraction capable locks combine security, accessibility and code compliance benefits, making them ideal for retrofitting fire-rated and non-rated openings in schools, healthcare facilities, commercial buildings and more. Read Now

  • How Cloud Security Solutions Are Transforming Campus Safety

    Campus administrators today face a challenging mandate: deliver stronger security across their facilities while working within tighter budget constraints. From school districts focused on student safety to hospitals protecting patients and staff, the question remains the same: how do you build security infrastructure that evolves with your needs without requiring massive capital investments? Read Now

  • Rethinking Campus Security From the Inside

    For decades, campus security strategies focused on keeping threats outside school walls. But since the tragedy at Columbine High School, data has shown that many attacks begin inside the building, often in classrooms and corridors. This shift has prompted schools to rethink security from the inside and place greater emphasis on interior elements such as classroom doors. This shift is evidenced by a new generation of classroom door systems engineered to delay inside intruders and an ASTM standard that raises the bar on how these systems must be designed to defend against attack. Read Now

  • AI in Security: Advancing Campus Safety and Considerations for Implementing

    Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to capture attention across every sector, and the physical security industry is no exception. Once seen as experimental, AI-enabled analytics now underpin how organizations monitor environments, detect threats, and make decisions. What was once futuristic is now a practical necessity for safety professionals managing growing volumes of data, tighter resources, and increasing expectations for faster, more accurate responses. Read Now

Most   Popular