Printer Friendly Version - Branford Adds Unarmed Security Officers to Elementary Schools

Branford’s Board of Education (BOE) voted Aug. 17 to hire four unarmed school security officers for the town’s elementary school buildings, similar to those already in place at the intermediate school and high school. Image Capture from branfordpublicschools.org

Branford’s three elementary schools and its Early Learning Center (ELC) school building will now have a school security officer in place in each building. The unarmed officers’ roles will be similar to that of the security officers already in place at the intermediate school and high school.

The Board of Education (BOE) voted to make the four new hires during the Aug. 17 full board meeting. The meeting was live streamed and meeting video can be viewed at branfordpublicschools.org

Prior to the vote, the BOE heard a school security report provided by Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez during executive session. Resuming the public meeting following executive session, the BOE voted unanimously to support a motion to hire four new school security officers. The officers will be posted at Tisko Elementary School, Murphy Elementary School, Sliney Elementary School and the ELC at Indian Neck School.

Branford public schools will start the new school year with a full day of school on Thursday, Sept. 1.

The first day back for teachers is Monday, August 29. The full school calendar can be viewed at branfordschools.org

In his Superintendent’s Report to the BOE on Aug. 17, schools’ chief Hamlet Hernandez noted he had received correspondence from the Jewish Federation regarding this year’s school calendar, which does not observe Jewish holidays. The district does provide excused absences for students or staff of any faith undertaking religious holidays, Hernandez confirmed.

“I certainly will respond to them, and let them know that during our process for next year that...once again, the committee will try to wrangle with that issue of what we call having an agnostic calendar or have a calendar that recognizes other pieces. I think that’s something the board will continue to work on,” Hernandez said.

As previously reported, Hernandez announced his intent to retire from his role with Branford Public Schools after the upcoming academic year concludes in June of 2023. He became the town’s Superintendent of Schools in July 2010.

At the Aug. 17 meeting, the BOE unanimously approved issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to locate and hire a superintendent search committee firm. The BOE also established a personnel search committee. BOE chair Peter Berdon recommended the board appoint the BOE as the personnel search committee, in accordance with state statutes. The recommendation was put into the form of a motion by John Prins, seconded by Laura Troidle, and approved unanimously.