Armed Guards Stationed

This modify came just weeks after the school panel hired previous Belleville police head and Mayor Bill Escott as school safety manager. Escott said he individually supervised the hiring of the safety officers, who are retired sheriffs, state trooper and police officers. The officers are expert in CPR, have had fingerprint backdrop checks and have all gun-carry certifications necessary by federal and state laws.

Visitors to the schools necessitate to made engagements principal of the school and show photo recognition to the part-time safety officers, officials said.

The costs of these changes are still being counted, school officials said.

"The sense and management have said they are satisfied with the changes so far," school board member Joseph Longo said. "It is a calm to identify someone will be there who is trained in dealing with these horrible scenarios."

Escott also led a two-hour in-service appearance with Belleville Police Chief Joseph Rotonda and other police leaders to instruct teachers on how to deal with violence in schools. A teacher who requested anonymity said the seminar on violence was "the best I've ever seen on the subject."

Residents did not object to the changes in the community portion of the meeting. School officials now await the statement from the security company.

"We will make a decision to where to go with electronic observation and all other aspect of our buildings' safety," Longo said.

In the meantime, Longo said a few residents told him they were denied entrée to schools since they had no scheduled time.

"But rather than being upset, they complimented the district for making schools more safe," he said. "They are happy that we a little extra buttoned up."

School officials have said the details of changes to school security could be shared with the community because of the need to stay that information away from any potential criminals.

All the panel members have said they supported the move, and thanked Escott for joining the district.