Revere Superintendent’s Corner by Dan White

Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is a top priority for Revere Local Schools. Each year we continue to prioritize and strengthen our safety measures. From enhanced security protocols and new visitor management systems to ongoing safety drills and the presence of trained school resource officers, we are committed to creating a safe space where students can focus on learning. In this month’s column, I will highlight several key safety initiatives in place and how they help keep our school community protected.

School Resource Officers play a key role in fostering a safe and supportive environment and bring extensive experience in law enforcement along with a passion for working with young people. We are incredibly fortunate to have SRO Scott Dressler who has served the Revere Local Schools for eight years. We are excited to share that we are finalizing a partnership agreement with Summit County to bring a second SRO to the district. This addition is planned to go into effect later this fall and will increase coverage so that each SRO will cover two buildings. Thank you to Richfield Village, Bath Township and Revere Schools Foundation for your support of our school resource officers!

Visitor Management Systems are now installed and serve as a screener in each of our schools. When a visitor arrives, they provide identification, typically a driver’s license. The system then performs a quick background check, cross-referencing the visitor’s information with databases like sex offender registries or school-specific watchlists. Additionally, the system tracks who is on campus, printing a visitor badge with their name, photo, and visit purpose. This provides real-time visibility into who is in the building. These systems are funded in partnership with the Revere Schools Foundation and grant funds available to the district.

“See something, say something” continues to be a school safety initiative in collaboration with the Revere Schools Foundation that encourages students, staff, and visitors in a school setting to be proactive about reporting suspicious behavior or potential threats. The idea is simple: if someone notices something unusual, such as a person acting strangely, an unattended object, or overhearing harmful intentions, they are encouraged to immediately report it to a teacher, school staff, or security personnel. This approach empowers everyone in the school community to play an active role in maintaining safety by raising awareness and preventing incidents before they occur.

*NEW* The Safer Ohio School Tip Line is a free safety resource available to all Ohio schools. The tip line is an anonymous reporting system that accepts tips via a call (844-723-3764), text, webform, and mobile app 24 hours a day. This tip line allows students and adults to anonymously share information with school officials and law enforcement about threats to student safety.

I encourage everyone – students, parents, and staff – to remain vigilant and engaged in our collective effort to ensure the well-being of all. Together, we can maintain a safe and positive learning environment, fostering a strong foundation for success. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our school district’s safety initiatives. ∞