Brian White

I read the syndicated editorial by Myriam Gurba titled, “Do Safety Officers Help Students Feel Safe,” and I feel for any students and staff who are a part of the type of school environment she described. However, as I read the editorial, I felt compelled to respond.

At Butler Area School District, I have witnessed compassionate, caring school police officers who have saved lives.

The role of school police officers at Butler Area School District is not to discipline or manage the students. That is the role of the teachers and principals. The role of the officers is to protect and support our students.

If you visit any of our schools, you will be greeted by a school police officer upon entering the building. Most of the time, the physical protection they provide faces out as a barrier between the outside world and our schools.

Our officers have protected our students and staff on numerous occasions. They have stopped a loaded weapon from entering a school. They have prevented a variety of other dangerous contraband from entering the school. They have been on high alert and ready to act any time our schools have received a threat.

After the Parkland, Fla., school shooting, a national student walkout took place. Some of our students participated. I met with those students and asked each of them the same question: “You have walked out of school. What is something that you hope others hear?” One student was pretty emotional. Through her tears, she said we want our officers, whom she called out by name, to know that we worry about them and feel better because they are here. The others expressed similar feelings.

Our students feel safer at school because of our officers.

And, while the outward physical protection they provide is important, I believe their role inside our schools is equally important.

Some of our officers serve as unofficial mentors to students. Many of them have connected with students who other adults have not been able to reach. At one of our schools, the officer draws pictures of the students as a reward for accomplishing their school goals. This is a highly sought after recognition!

One of our officers is fully dedicated to protecting our students online. That officer has been recognized for identifying depression and self-harm issues, and was able to provide actionable information to parents and school leaders to take preventative action. Additionally, that officer’s work identified a student who was being human trafficked. The U.S. Attorney General’s Office recognized this work upon the conviction of the perpetrator.

During the pandemic, many of our families were in need of food for their families. Some had no access to transportation. Our school district is 150 square miles. Not everyone was able to walk to one of our food distribution sites. Therefore, our school police officers delivered meals to homes. At our peak, our officers were delivering to more than 800 families. From March 2020 to August 2020, we provided over 500,000 meals. That was only possible because of our school police.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania passed legislation guaranteeing school employees their salaries from March 2020 to the conclusion of the 2020 school year. Our officers did not have to work during that time. They chose to serve as the essential employees they are to ensure our students had access to food every single day.

I haven’t read Mryriam Gurba’s book “Mean.” I haven’t written a book either. But I suppose if I were going to write a book about school police, I would title it “Faith.” That is because I have faith that the officers we employ are here to help, mentor, inspire and serve the students in our care. I am eternally grateful for their work.

Brian White is superintendent of the Butler Area School District.