Reading School District expands safety staff with 10 new hires | Reading Area | #schoolsaftey #kids #parents #children

READING, Pa. – Reading High School is getting 10 new school safety positions, with the goal of preserving the school’s three-year decline in disciplinary incidents.The Reading School Board unanimously approved seven 10-month school security guards, one 12-month security guard and two 12-month lead safe school officers.Dr. Seleda Simmons of Berks Community Action Program says these new additions are a great way to keep students safe.”I’m really happy because at the end of the day, safety is the first measure,” said Simmons.But she says the school needs to make sure these new hires have the proper tools to deal not only with physical distress, but mental distress as well.”If we have a security guard that is equipped with all the necessary tools, not only would it be able to keep them safe, but they can also give them information, advice,” said Simmons.In a statement, Reading School District’s Superintendent Dr. Khalid Mumin says the new positions will increase supervision, strengthen communication with students, and maintain a visible, supportive presence during transitions and other unstructured times.The school also specified these new positions will not be members of the Reading Police Department.A distinction that Simmons says is important.”Most of the kids out here don’t respect police officers, sadly. But if you have a security guard, that’s an authority figure. They might be able to soften that. They might be able to give them a different vision of what it is to protect and serve,” said Simmons.Simmons says these new positions are a proactive way to help keep that decline in disciplinary incidents going.”Now while things are good, now, while we have a control and a handle on things to the best of our ability, why not bring in more?” said Simmons.The school district says school safety remains an ongoing priority.

Copyright 2026 Maranatha Broadcasting Co., Inc.. All Rights Reserved.

Source link

——————————————————–
Click Here For The Original Source.
…………………….

Related