Nathan Saunders
How to Restore Safety and Security to DCPS
March 23, 2004

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How to restore safety and security to DCPS

Reportedly, the Washington, D.C., community is on its way to a record-setting year of violence and mayhem. Likewise, the District of Columbia Public School System (DCPS), a microcosm of DC, reflects the same level of violence. Despite Mayor Williams’ "State of the District" address, residents cannot drink the water, go to a convenient emergency hospital, or get a decent quality public school education in some neighborhoods. Public school education and safety are the number one impediments to sustained economic growth in Washington, D.C. My high school teacher colleagues share tragic death after death. Many refuse to go to students’ funerals. Others intentionally remain emotionally distant for fear of establishing a bond after knowing the pain of losing their students. These deaths are not unique to a neighborhood or school. There can be no educational achievement where students and teachers fear for their safety. The following three changes can yield huge dividends in safety and security for DCPS immediately.

Firstly, the Superintendent and School Board must streamline disciplinary actions and make them non-arbitrary. Simply enforce the rules and regulations with zero tolerance. Chapter 25 of DCPS’ rules and regulations allow too much latitude for interpretation. The most common frontline teacher interpretation is that student violators should receive punishments on the first tier, which now receive mainly verbal or written warnings. If an audit of the student discipline records of schools with high incidences of arson, violence, and assaults were conducted, the results would show little or no documentation and improper follow up. I have personally counted five separate forms used to document or write up a student violator. They are not coordinated and can be sent to separate parties, i.e. to the Dean of Students, Principal, Vice Principal, a security guard, a parent, etc. These forms must be required to be maintained and catalogued; unfortunately they are not. Furthermore, the violators’ records are not documented and violations are, more often than not, treated as a series of one-time events as opposed to a cumulative issue of concern. The disruptive student is not getting the education he or she is entitled to receive and he or she is stopping others from receiving theirs. DCPS must stop transferring students from school to school without providing the requisite support services. Egregious actions ought not to be welcomed at any public school. Documented intervention must occur before pushing the student into another school. Dangerous anti-social behavior is a correctable pattern, but it will escalate absent active intervention. These services are already budgeted, funded, and paid for via Title 1 programs and special education programs, among others. DCPS must better use the resources it presently possesses. This is a management issue, and employees should be further trained to deliver on directives or removed, promptly. The JROTC program, a success across America, is an excellent vehicle to use for enhancing student transfer success.

Secondly, at a minimum, the School Board must purchase the proper exit and entrance door hardware, with a monitored camera system, for each high school. This must include metal detecting security wands. Many students complain of being humiliated daily by the morning "pat downs." Ironically, they say they are made to feel like criminals. Okay, I can hear the response, "We don’t have the money to do that. It is an impossible request. Therefore, it is unlikely and undoable." How does the School Board spend $700 million without buying these fundamental requirements for urban education? The truth is that many schools do not have these necessary fixtures because many students are economically disadvantaged, without the parental support and the political representation to demand these needed tools. Horribly, these same communities and students are financing cabinet-level appearancea of politicians with the blood of its children. Is the money there? Sure it is! It is a matter of schools system needs as opposed to the wants. I am talking about $500,000 consulting contracts, and outlandish bonuses to hire employees for $100,000 jobs. The Superintendent and school board could better in allocating their existing resources and prioritizing! Money is not the problem. The problem is willpower, commitment, and consistency. Congress, the mayor, or the city council cannot appropriate those. They result from faith, and from a genuine concern for the well being of teachers and students.

At Anacostia SHS, our former principal, Dr. Mildred Musgrove, was fined, admonished, and her career negatively impacted by the fire door issue. Our new principal, Dr. James Wilson, is now placed in the very same environment. Many public schools, including Anacostia SHS are without the proper fire door apparatuses and resources to protect the students, faculty, and staff. It is not the case that DCPS principals are not locking doors because they have nothing better to do. Principals are trying to protect lives and keep neighborhood beefs out of the academic environment. This unresolved issue has stretched more than a decade without being resolved. Principals must be supported in order to succeed not fail.

Finally, trained security teams led by Metropolitan Police Department personnel must be installed in all high schools. Why? Because MPD officers have arrest powers! Ninety-nine percent of the time arrest powers are not necessary, but some kids need to see the possibly as a viable option. For those nay-sayers who are adamant that, "Police should not be in the schools," I challenge you to understand that major felonies are being committed in schools -- not the fisticuffs of yesteryear. Baseball bat beatings, knifings, violent gang and crew fights, and murders are occurring. Some individuals need to know that they must stop this behavior now or go to jail now -- "Take your pick!" The current security contract is a sham and ought to be audited and investigated by the inspector general and the US Attorney for the District of Columbia. The new security firm hired the same employees the former contractor employed. The service is worse. Many of the guards are afraid of the students, as they live in the same communities as the students. Most are just a few years older and too friendly with the students. Principals and teachers do not know the terms of the contract nor the duties and responsibilities of the security force within their schools. The amount of money DCPS is paying per school remains a mystery. This contract should be phased out and the savings used in conjunction with a partnership with the MPD.

By implementing the three above recommendations, the superintendent and the school board will thrust the system forward. All recommendations are achievable, including the expenditures of funds. If funds are not available, go to the mayor, the city council, and Congress for financial support. How about the $14 million in additional funds received for public schools that was attached to the "vouchers?" How about a financial reprogramming of funds at the school board, city council, executive, or congressional level? The recommendation presupposes a minimum level of cooperation on behalf of children. That may be the only fantasy. The education equation is centuries old. It says, "In order to teach children they must know that they are safe. They must also know you care before they care to know what you know."