When Assistant Superintendent Mike Beresford left the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District to assume the superintendent’s position next door in Carmel, someone needed to take over Dr. Beresford’s duties heading up security at HSE Schools.  Ryan Taylor moved from being a high school assistant principal to leading the district’s security efforts.

Wednesday night, Taylor reviewed the security situation with the HSE School Board.  When Governor Eric Holcomb offered to provide hand-held metal detector wands, HSE requested the maximum number allowed by the state formula, 91.  But Taylor made clear that even though the wands will be delivered soon, there is no plan in place as to how they will be utilized.  Administrators are consulting with the district’s attorneys and insurance carriers on what policies are within the law and reasonable when determining when and how these hand-held metal detectors will be utilized.  Once that process is complete, school officials will recommend a set of policies to submit for school board approval.

Taylor also described the “text-to-tip” program where students and parents can send information to school administrators and safety personnel.  “We have students now tnat aren’t going to tolerate unsafe situations,” Taylor told the board.  “They are informing us…we want to continue to establish those relationships with our kids.”

The metal-detecting wands are one tool schools can use, but Taylor warns there are no instant answers, many tools must be used together for an effective safety program.  A Parental Advisory Committee is forming and will be meeting soon as part of the overall HSE Schools safety program, according to Taylor.