Dist. 203 officials looking at student safety options
Naperville Unit District 203 may have to alter its partnerships with Naperville police if the city's budget crunch persists.
The school board met Monday with two police officers to discuss student safety initiatives but acknowledged the city's revenue shortfall could mean less police presence in the schools. The city's budget hole is currently $5.1 million but could reach $11 million next fiscal year.
Police Lt. John Gustin said the police department is currently re-evaluating its staffing levels and services but emergency response is the first priority.
"All of what are considered to be nonessential positions are being evaluated to determine if we can continue to staff those and if we can continue to prioritize the proper allocation of those resources to the best possible service levels to the community at large," Gustin said.
District 203 and Naperville police currently partner at all three school levels. Officers work with elementary students in the Too Good for Drugs program, while school resource officers are assigned part time to junior high schools and full time to both Naperville North and Central high schools. The officers help prevent problems with drugs, alcohol and gangs, as well as assisting in serious disciplinary issues or crimes involving students.
Melanie Raczkiewicz, associate superintendent for operations, said the officers help keep the schools safe and orderly and are not there as a "gotcha" presence.
"They're 24/7 for us," Raczkiewicz said. "They really have done a wonderful job of being problem solving resources for us."
Gustin said resource officers develop relationships with staff and students alike.
"Our focus does not stop at the school doors," Gustin said. "We are very concerned with activity which could begin in the school and bleed over into the community or behavior which could begin at home ... that then could carry over into the school."
Naperville officers also work with neighboring Indian Prairie Unit District 204.
One of the joint student safety issues District 203 and officers discussed Monday was look alike weapons. The district's policy, which coincides with federal law, is to expel students for at least a year if they bring a weapon - real or look alike - to school. The district is working to ensure students and parents clearly understand the consequences, even if the weapon is not real. Later this month, they plan to send families a letter about the policy and resource officers and school administrators are also visiting classrooms to speak directly to students.