Monday, February 07, 2000
Board discussing Fairfield HS request for additional security
BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
FAIRFIELD — One or two additional full-time security/hall monitors might be hired this school year at Fairfield Senior High School.
Principal Monica Mitter told school board members last week the monitors would allow her to reopen the gymnasium during lunch, a practice discontinued earlier this year because of a lack of su pervision. The school has just one such security person.
“I feel it's important enough to add a couple,” Mrs. Mitter said. “If I got 11/2 positions, I would be able to cover all lunches and all day. One would make things better.”
The security personnel would roam halls, monitor restrooms and “do anything any other adult could do in the building,” Mrs. Mitter said.
The district has experi enced a reduction in the number of students disciplined for violent behavior this year. Administrators want the extra staff to keep the numbers down, and also to keep the school clean at a time when enrollment is rising.
Mrs. Mitter said that at this time last year, 32 students had been disciplined, compared with 26 this year.
Mrs. Mitter said that when compared with 27 comparably sized Ohio high schools, Fairfield has the fourth-highest student-to-administrator ratio.
There is one principal and three assistants for Fairfield's 1,950 students, a ratio of 487 students to one administrator. The best ratio was in Mason, 239 to 1, while the worst was Eastlake North High School near Cleveland, 515 to 1.
The cost to the district to hire one person for the remainder of the school year would be $11,000, includingbenefits. That puts the individual on the salary scale with janitors/monitors, said John Pennell, the district's administrative assistant for business. The cost for a full year would be $28,000.
Board member Michael Oler suggested the school look into possibly hiring retired police officers, who could be sworn in by Fairfield police as auxiliary officers. Board member Maurice Godsey, a retired educator with Princeton Schools, said the security staff with police powers in Princeton have commanded more respect than those without such powers.
Superintendent Charles Wiedenmann said it would cost more to hire a retired officer, but he would have Mr. Pennell talk to Hamilton High and other schools and bring the figures back for discussion at the board's Feb. 17 meeting.
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