BY MIRIAM SMITH
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON -- Local educators are hoping parents and students will make the phone their weapon of choice to help combat school violence.
Representatives from Warren County's eight school districts met with county commissioners a month ago about one of the services available -- called Safe School Helpline, operated by Security Voice Inc. of Columbus.
Most districts have committed to or are considering hooking up to a hot line that enables residents to anonymously report safety concerns.
Commissioners are committed to funding a service for all districts, public and private, as part of a two-year pilot program, Commissioner Larry Crisenbery has said.
That translates into about $16,000, or 15 cents per student, in grades 7-12. The hot line, which would assign a different number to each district, is available to students and parents of all ages. The county is expected to open bids on the project Thursday. The measure is part of a statewide and national trend to stave off school violence with a service offering anonymous phone access to authorities.
A series of school shootings last year spurred educators to step up safety measures. Nationally, 11 children and two teachers died in five school shootings last year, all with guns fired by other children.
The Mason City Schools last winter was the first in Warren County to hook up to a free hot line giving parents, teachers and students the chance to anonymously report safety concerns. Kings and Little Miami school districts followed and the Franklin City Schools last week voted to adopt the service.
Officials from the Springboro, Carlisle and Wayne local schools said they are expecting to soon recommend their school boards also approve it.
Lebanon City Schools officials are awaiting paperwork from the county before considering the issue.
Carlisle Superintendent Dennis Hern said school officials are more sensitive than ever to school safety concerns.
The hot line is a proactive step in curbing violence, said Stephen Bartalo, director of education services for Springboro Community City Schools.
"We feel much more comfortable since we contacted several more districts in the state that are participating in the helpline," Mr. Bartalo said. "The (schools) have been relatively safe, but we want to take a proactive approach and allow people the opportunity to make us aware of any concerns they might have."
