In the wake of the push for extra school security, the guard shack at the entrance to Warren County High School and Hickory Creek Elementary, which sat empty last year, is being staffed.
The guard shack is not staffed with security personnel for the time being, but with substitute teachers employed by Kelly Staffing Services.
Members of the county’s Financial Management Committee voted 5-0 to reject a bid to man the guard shack by Securitas Security Services. Director of Schools Bobby Cox recommended to reject the bid, which he felt came in higher than what it would cost locally.
Securitas’ bid was $13.78 per hour or $384.40 per week at 35 hours per week for one person.
Cox said, “We are talking to off-duty McMinnville police officers who will work through Kelly Services and will work in a position to help people gain entry into and out of the area.”
The off-duty officers should be in place at the guard shack within the next week or so, according to Cox.
Cox said those in charge of manning the guard shack will work with WCHS executive principal Tony Cassel who will give instructions of what needs to be done at the entrance point.
It has been reported the substitutes at the guard shack are inconsistent with how they handle visitors. One sub may wave all cars through the gate, while another will stop everyone entering the premises.
“We want them to be consistent with what is to be done,” said Cox. “We are concerned with the safety aspect. Most vehicles entering are run on through. We want them to try and ask their business and why they are on the campus. They are needed. We had two kids walk off campus the other day and the sub at the guard shack radioed the SRO officer to go get them.”
Members present at the Financial Management Committee meeting were County Executive and committee chair John Pelham, Commissioners Terry Bell and Herschel Wells, Cox, and Highway Department Superintendent Levie Glenn.
Commissioners Wayne Copeland and Billy Early Jones were absent.