Marlboro Announces Security Upgrades to Schools; No Details about Cops in District

The Marlboro Board of Education announced it will continue to upgrade security, after a 90-day program which places officers in each district school.

A news release from the district stated a Security Supervisor position will be created, and a multi-year security upgrade plan has been put in place.

The search to fill that position is being handled by administration, the exact salary is to be determined, according to Board President Michael Lilonsky.

Details of the upgrades were witheld from the release for safety reasons, but board members have been updated by Superintendent Dr. David Abbott and the Safe Schools Task Force.

"As best as can be determined at this time, the funds needed for this plan are included in the 2013-14 budget," Lilonsky said. "If additional funds are needed, the board will discuss the couse of action to be taken at the time."

A program to put one police office in every Marlboro school was put into place in January, and cost the district around $105,000 for 90 days. 

Cops in schools served as a security measure while the district assessed potential upgrades. The initial decision was a response to the tragic shootings in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT.

Whether or not officers will remain in the district was not disclosed. According to Mayor Jon Hornik, further security details in the district will not be disclosed to members of the media.

Hornik said the Township Council did approve the ability to hire 12 new special officers for the program, but no officers have been hired.

During the 90-day period, a security report from third party vendor On Point Services was conducted and recommendations were also made from the Marlboro Police Department and Safe Schools Task Force. Input was also considered from parents and officials within the district with security backgrounds, and U.S. Securities Associates Inc. 

No information about the cost of third party vendors was provided.

Lilonsky said in a news release and in an email to Patch, "Please note that in order to maintain the integrity of our plans to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff, we will not be releasing any further details at this time."

Attempts to contact Abbott were not immediately returned.

Read more (in order of publication from December)

• Visitor Management System the First Line of Defense in Marlboro Schools
• All Marlboro Schools Will Have Armed Officers By January
• Should Marlboro Schools Have Armed Guards in Wake of Newtown Shooting?
• Marlboro Rabbi Implores BOE To Reconsider Effects of Security Measures
• Marlboro Stays at the Center of the School Security Discussion
• Cops in Schools Could Cost $355K Annually if Adopted in Marlboro