Quaker Valley, Local Police Working to Enhance School Safety

Quaker Valley School District and local police departments are working to enhance school safety efforts with periodic in-school patrols by uniformed police officers.

Tina Vojtko, district spokeswoman, said unannounced police walk-throughs will occur in each of the district’s four schools. This measure aims to enhance the positive relationship between the community’s police officers and students, families and staff. 

This safety measure is in addition to Quaker Valley School Resource Officer Bob Wright, an armed policeman who serves the entire school district. Wright works in coordination and cooperation with other local law enforcement agencies.

“Quaker Valley has always benefited from the partnership and cooperation of its local police departments,” Superintendent Joseph Clapper said. “We continue to be grateful for their guidance and leadership as we work together to keep our school community safe.”

Quaker Valley School District has a comprehensive safety plan that was developed in coordination with national experts in school safety as well as local law enforcement and emergency response officials.

The district also has the following:

• A district safety team as well as building-level safety teams within each school meet regularly to review and recommend changes to the plan. 
• Students and staff regularly practice a variety of drills to be prepared for emergency situations. 
• All entrances to Quaker Valley schools are locked throughout the school day. Visitors must be buzzed in through the main doors, which are monitored by office staff via video camera. Visitors must circulate through the main office – signing in and out during arrival and departure. 
• In addition to all employees, Quaker Valley requires volunteers to possess legal clearances and submit to a background check.

The district asks that information regarding any safety issue be shared with a teacher, counselor, principal or any school or law enforcement official.

Those who wish to make an anonymous report, can call the school district’s tip-line at 412-749-3633 or use the anonymous online form located on the district’s website under Quick Links.  All reports are taken seriously and investigated.

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Information provided by Quaker Valley School District.

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