Press Release

 

 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018
CONTACT: Diane Blain, Director of School and Community Relations, (586) 723-2242

Law enforcement, education leaders, parents announce Chippewa Valley school safety proposal

Safe Schools, Strong Schools proposal to appear on Nov. 6 ballot

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Local law enforcement, education leaders and parents held a press conference today to announce Safe Schools, Strong Schools, a proposal on the Nov. 6 ballot that would support essential security improvements to keep Chippewa Valley Schools students safe before, during and after school.

“Keeping students safe has never been more important, and our top priority at Chippewa Valley Schools is the safety of our students, staff and families,” said Ron Roberts, Chippewa Valley Schools superintendent. “While we are doing many things well on school safety, more can and must be done to face continually evolving school threats.”

The Safe Schools, Strong Schools proposal would:

  • Fund security enhancements at existing buildings and facilities including security cameras, replacement of door locks, improved interior door systems and more secure entryways
  • Replace buses that are the oldest in the fleet, and replace roofing, plumbing and mechanical systems to keep students safe, warm and dry
  • Provide students with state-of-the-art instructional technology and increased access to Career and Technical Education programs

The Safe Schools, Strong Schools proposal was developed following an independent, building-by-building security analysis of all Chippewa Valley Schools buildings. The analysis included an assessment of physical barriers in every school building, each building’s capability to prevent unauthorized entry, and mechanisms to respond when unauthorized entry occurs.

“We have tried to keep pace with best practices for safety as the nature of school threats continues to evolve,” said Anthony Wickersham, Macomb County Sheriff. “Now it’s time to reassess our game plan and consider essential security enhancements to continue our record of success.”

“I hear from parents and constituents all the time who say we need to do everything possible to enhance school security and stay ahead of emerging threats,” said Beth Pyden, Chippewa Valley Schools Board of Education president. “We must continue to adapt to school safety demands to keep our students safe before and after the school bell rings.”

The Safe Schools, Strong Schools proposal would also support state-of-the-art instructional technology, including increased access to Career and Technical Education programs that help students compete for 21st century jobs.

“As a teacher, I can tell you first-hand that classroom technology continues to evolve rapidly,” said David Powell, a Career and Technical Education teacher at Chippewa Valley High School. “To keep up, our students should have access to cutting-edge instructional technology that gives them real life, on-the-job experience and a head start on careers.”

“The daily headlines make it clear threats to our schools are on the rise, and that concerns me greatly as a parent,” said Michele Majewski, mother of two Chippewa Valley High School students. “As a parent, I am encouraged to see our district looking to the future to keep our kids and community safe.”

Learn more about the Safe Schools, Strong Schools proposal at www.chippewavalleyschools.org/safeschoolsstrongschools

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Aug. 13, 2018
CONTACT: Diane Blain, Director of School and Community Relations, (586) 723-2242


Chippewa Valley Schools announces Safe Schools, Strong Schools proposal
 

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Keeping our schools safe, giving our students the skills to succeed, and making our community strong is the focus of a bond proposal recently passed by the Chippewa Valley Schools Board of Education. The Safe Schools, Strong Schools proposal will appear on the Nov. 6, 2018, ballot.

“Keeping our students safe has never been more important, and we’ve heard loud and clear throughout our community that safety must be our top priority at Chippewa Valley Schools to keep our students, staff and families safe,” said Beth Pyden, CVS Board of Education president. “The Safe Schools, Strong Schools proposal invests in security enhancements to keep Chippewa Valley Schools students safe before, during and after school.”

An independent, building-by-building review of current security features at Chippewa Valley Schools was conducted in April of this year and included an assessment of physical barriers and other school safety measures. The district-wide security analysis found the district has kept up to speed with security and safety best practices, and that more needs to be done to prepare for new possible threats as the nature of school threats continues to evolve.

If passed, the Safe Schools, Strong Schools proposal would:

  • Fund security enhancements at existing buildings and facilities to help keep Chippewa Valley Schools safe for current and future generations of students and staff.
  • Replace older buses and repair or replace aging roofs, plumbing and mechanical systems and other infrastructure and other necessary repairs to keep our kids safe, warm and dry.
  • Provide state-of-the-art instructional technology and increased access to Career and Technical Education programs, giving students real life, on-the-job experience and a head start on careers.

The Safe Schools, Strong Schools proposal would not cost taxpayers one extra penny on their current tax bills. The proposal supports critical school safety, security and technology improvements without raising the millage rate.

Fiscal responsibility is a key part of keeping our schools strong, and Chippewa Valley Schools has received a perfect fiscal wellness score from the leading school finance rating organization for five years straight, and the highest possible rating on independent audits every year.

If passed, all spending will be tracked and available on a public website to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

“Strong schools attract talent, new families and innovative small businesses to our area that make our local economy strong and help continue Macomb County’s economic comeback,” said Ron Roberts, CVS superintendent. “Strong schools also keep our property values and home values strong, making our area a great place to live, work and raise a family.

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To learn more about how Chippewa Valley Schools is making our schools safe, giving our students the skills to succeed, and making our community strong, visit www.chippewavalleyschools.org, or visit us on Facebook and Twitter.