Tipp City Schools outline security measures, discuss changes

Tipp City schools officials are looking at added security measures including possibly increasing off-duty police officers or school resource officers in buildings.

Security "is a topic very heavy on all of our minds," Superintendent Gretta Kumpf said in a Monday evening district meeting on security and facilities . Kumpf led a discussion in which current security measures were outlined, potential changes listed and the public asked for suggestions on additional safety measures.

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"You have to stay alert wherever you are in today's world," Kumpf said. Residents said they were particularly concerned about playground safety and would like to see better security as people enter buildings. Better security cameras also were suggested.

The district currently contracts with the city police department for off duty offers to work in the schools. The district and the city share the cost of their pay. In recent weeks, more on-duty officers have been stopping by district buildings, Kumpf said.

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Tipp City Police Sgt. Chris Graham, who works with school administrators on security, also asked the public for any suggestions for improvements. He declined to discuss security specifics because of the public nature of the discussion.

In April, the district will introduce a new safe schools alert tip line that will allow people to report either by name or anonymously information on bullying and other tips/safety concerns. Tips can be submitted by phone, the web, text or email.

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Some residents asked district officials to look at steps being taken by other area districts to see if any of those measures would be appropriate locally.

Every situation that occurs is different, Kumpf said.

"We try to learn from other unfortunate situations what may help us and other schools," she said.

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The other portion of Monday's meeting focused on the district's facilities including discussions about renovating the middle and intermediate school buildings and constructing a new prekindergarten through grade three building.