Challenge Learning Center -
Revisited
Now the cops are there
Columbia County, FL (Posted Dec 10, 2010 11:10 am)
After the choking incident of Challenge Principal
Deborah Hill, the temporary fix of the School Resource
Officer issue is working its way toward a resolution as
the District and the Lake City Police Department put
their heads together to come up with a permanent
solution.
After the choking incident of Principal Deborah Hill at the Challenge School, the LCPD now has a presence at the school. Principal Hill told the Observer that both she and her staff are more at ease now that the police are there. Ms. Hill said, "I am very pleased. My staff is feeling a sense of security and I'm seeing a little bit more respect coming from the students."
The temporary fix of the SRO (School Resource Officer) issue at the Columbia County School District's Challenge Learning Center is working its way toward a resolution as the District and the Lake City Police Department put their heads together to come up with a permanent solution after the choking incident of Principal Deborah Hill.
Where are we now?
LCPD Juan Cruz, one of the officers that has signed
up for extra duty at the Challenge Center told the
Observer: "Having someone here from the PD is a good
thing. The teachers notice it and so do the students.
There is less fighting and less stealing. Having the car
parked out in front of the building lets everyone know
we are on the campus."
Superintendent Mike Millikan told the Observer: "We are in negotiation with the City for an SRO to be assigned to the Challenge Learning Center as part of his or her duties. Until we get that contract negotiated with the City, we are individually contracting with off duty officers to the Challenge in conjunction with our own private security aids that are school employees."
The Superintendent continued: "We are dealing with it the best that we can. We are pleased that there is somebody down there and we are waiting to see what the City's contract proposal for a full time SRO looks like."
While the kinks are being worked out of the system there have been times when the Challenge School was left without a police officer presence. The process has been a day to day affair, with Ms. Hill not knowing whether or not an officer would show up until they arrived.
Chief Gilmore: "I've directed Capt. Blanchard to make the school aware beforehand if someone is not going to be there from the LCPD.
Chief Gilmore also explained that she has told her people that on their down time when they are writing reports they should park their car by the Challenge Center.
Everyone is getting on the same page
Chief Gilmore: "I am looking forward to a successful relationship between the LCPD and the school."
Deborah Hill: "I'm looking forward to the time when there will be someone permanently assigned to the school, so that they will get to know the kids and their habits, and the kids will get to know that person."