Moniteau School Superintendent Sean Arney has updated parents on the status of new security measures.

“I sent a communication letter to the parents going out today to explain to them where we are,” Arney said Thursday.

Responding to parent complaints at school board meetings this spring and a petition with 856 signatures by parents and community members, the school board approved new security measures.

The board formed a committee, added metal detectors and built a police force of officers, who will be armed, according to Arney.

Arney said the board hired two full-time and two part-time officers at Monday's meeting adding to their team, which now has six officers in all.

“We've been recruiting and interviewing since May,” Arney said.

Arney said while the school board has made progress, it might not meet the demand for all security measures to be in play by the start of school. He said it's possible, but it may be a week or two into the school year before the district will see the full effect of changes.

“I'm hopeful that (the newly hired officers) are going to start the first week of school, which is the last week of August,” Arney said. “Early September for sure.”

Board member Randy Armagost gave a vote of confidence that the measures will be in place as soon as possible by motioning to absolve the deadline that mandated all new security measures to be in place by the first day of school.

“We should have guards there the first day, but maybe not the metal detectors and stuff like that,” Armagost said. “It just takes time.”

Armagost said he was satisfied with the progress.

“I'm extremely pleased with the progresses we've made over a very short period of time,” he said. “In public education, it takes longer to get something done than in the open world.”

But Armagost said the security measures will still need work in their infancy.

“It's all new,” he said. “Everything can change week to week. Hopefully the parents can be understanding and give people time to put things into place properly. It's not going to be perfect in the first week or first month, but hopefully it will be in a short period of time.”

The school board has been busy updating policies regarding school safety.

In July, the board adopted a policy for metal detectors and school police officers. At Monday's meeting, the board passed another policy, this one regarding procedures for visitors and the metal detector.

The board also scheduled a first reading at the Aug. 27 meeting of a modification of a search policy, again to account for the metal detectors.

“We took a search policy that has been vetted and developed by Pennsylvania School Boards Association, and massaged it for our area,” Arney said.

Arney said he also recognizes that the board will have to designate a coordinator in accordance with state Act 44 requiring a comprehensive security plan for schools.

“That right now is under conversation because we're looking to marry that role and responsibility outlined by the act with the right person,” Arney said. “I will most likely be the person at least for the first year to oversee the Act 44 requirements, probably with someone working with me, and then I'll release (the role) to them next year.”

Arney said he views Act 44 as helpful and supportive as the district grow into its new security.

“It's easy from my perspective to implement a police force when the Act 44 is new,” Arney said. “Any support will be another lens for us.”