Milford School Security Officers Union Requests Another Guard
What do you think about the number of security officers at Foran or Law High Schools? Comment below.
The union representing security officers in Milford Public Schools is requesting one more officer be hired for Joseph A. Foran High School for the next academic year.
Foran currently has two security officers; one monitors cameras from a security booth and the other patrols the four-story school and parking lot. The school has over 1,000 students, according to Sal Follo, a security guard at Foran High School and president AFSCME Local 1303-353.
"This is definitely a small amount of guards to have," said Larry Dorman, a spokesman for Council 4 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union group. "It's very few people to cover a large area."
Milford Schools Chief Operations Officer James L. Richetelli Jr. said that the 2012-2013 budget doesn't include additional security guard positions.
Foran and Jonathan Law High School had a combined force of seven security officers last year. The number was cut down to four guards due to budget cuts caused by funding shortfalls, Follo said.
Jonathan Law High School Principal Fran Thompson requested and received an additional officer earlier this year, Follo said. Foran Principal John Barile also requested an additional officer, but his request was denied.
Ritchetelli said that Dorman didn't previously approach him about the issue with the number of security guards at Foran.
“We, at Milford Public Schools take pride in the positive and cooperative relationship that we have with all of the leaders representing our valued union employees," he said in an email. "It was surprising, therefore, to learn of this issue at this time via a press release.
Milford school security officers earn around $22,000 a year, according to Council 4 press release.
“If our town can afford astro-turf fields and raises for administrators, then surely we can afford another security officer,” Follo said in a press release. “I don’t think that’s asking too much when it comes to the safety and security of students, staff and parents.”
An additional officer would help the small force be more proactive and better patrol the grounds, he said.
"Many times we will break up a potential fight or stop a verbal fight [from escalating]," he said.
Foran currently has two security officers; one monitors cameras from a security booth and the other patrols the four-story school and parking lot. The school has over 1,000 students, according to Sal Follo, a security guard at Foran High School and president AFSCME Local 1303-353.
"This is definitely a small amount of guards to have," said Larry Dorman, a spokesman for Council 4 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union group. "It's very few people to cover a large area."
Milford Schools Chief Operations Officer James L. Richetelli Jr. said that the 2012-2013 budget doesn't include additional security guard positions.
Foran and Jonathan Law High School had a combined force of seven security officers last year. The number was cut down to four guards due to budget cuts caused by funding shortfalls, Follo said.
Jonathan Law High School Principal Fran Thompson requested and received an additional officer earlier this year, Follo said. Foran Principal John Barile also requested an additional officer, but his request was denied.
Ritchetelli said that Dorman didn't previously approach him about the issue with the number of security guards at Foran.
“We, at Milford Public Schools take pride in the positive and cooperative relationship that we have with all of the leaders representing our valued union employees," he said in an email. "It was surprising, therefore, to learn of this issue at this time via a press release.
Milford school security officers earn around $22,000 a year, according to Council 4 press release.
“If our town can afford astro-turf fields and raises for administrators, then surely we can afford another security officer,” Follo said in a press release. “I don’t think that’s asking too much when it comes to the safety and security of students, staff and parents.”
An additional officer would help the small force be more proactive and better patrol the grounds, he said.
"Many times we will break up a potential fight or stop a verbal fight [from escalating]," he said.
Why does Dorman need to approach Ritchetelli about the position? Barile's request was denied. Did he think that was the end of it ?
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