Superintendent, parent counsel president talk safety of Buffalo Public Schools on first day
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Today, thousands of students of the Buffalo public school district laced up their shoes and walked into another new chapter of their educational career.
“It’s a lot of planning and preparation in order to have a successful start of the school year,” said Karen Murray, associate superintendent of school leadership at BPS.
One of the priorities on their mind for the district’s school year, other than academic success, is keeping children safe on school grounds.
“I’m sure some parents are worried,” said Edward Speidel, president of the district parent counsel. “But the district has done great with the new measures of the Evolv system. The process to get into the building is a lot more difficult, doors aren’t left open, you have to get buzzed in so I feel like they’re safe.”
“We’re doing everything that we can,” said Dr. Tonja Williams Knight, superintendent of Buffalo public schools. “We’re working with our families this morning, I know the principal was doing robocalls to the students to remind them of safety and security and the importance of that.”
In the past couple of years, the district has added Evolv scanners for everyone to walk through as they enter. The scanners use AI technology to detect possible weapons. The schools are staffed with trained security officers and will continue their partnerships with local law enforcement.
New this year, they’re also adjusting their spectator policy for sporting events by adding adult supervision requirements, more perimeter sweeps around the events and getting rid of re-entry.
As the school bell rings, Dr. Williams Knight has a message for families with safety on their minds.
“I would say to parents, talk to your children,” she said. “talk to your children and I say to our children, in our schools almost every ten steps there is a caring adult that is there and they can talk to adults and let them know if they’re experiencing anxieties or issues or bullying is a concern, but parents you have to talk to your children.”
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