School Committee talks school safety

Jun 17, 2022

School Committee members heard from School Resource Officer Karl Baptiste and Detective Dean Decas in a discussion about school safety during Thursday night’s meeting.

The two didn’t disclose specific safety procedures or protocol for safety reasons, but they and board members alike talked about how events like the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas last month make them think about safety here.

“We have to make sure we take all the precautions,” Baptiste said.

School Committee member Apryl Rossi praised Baptiste for his work both in keeping the schools safe and encouraging students to go into extracurricular activities.

Baptiste said he speaks honestly with the students he works with.

“I just try to be the person I needed at that age,” he said.

Baptiste spoke to the importance of “see something, say something” policies for students, who board members acknowledged may sometimes realize red flags before school officials do.

“It’s not snitching,” Baptiste said. “It’s not ratting.”

Baptiste and Decas, along with Wareham Police Chief Walter Correia, all helped set up the memorial outside Town Hall for the children and teachers killed in Uvalde.

As of Thursday, the 21 chairs were still sitting outside, names of those lost pasted on each one.