In recent years, the security of educational institutions has become an increasingly pressing concern not just at the local level, but at the national level. Students, parents, faculty, school administrators and politicians have been calling for tighter restrictions on weapons and stricter security measures at schools. The need for tighter security at schools across the country has never been greater.
According to a report by the American Academy of Pediatrics, between 2018 and 2019, the United States saw a large increase in the number of school shootings, from 89 shootings to 115. But, that number only increased in the years to follow. In 2020, 116 school shootings were recorded, in 2021, 146 shootings were recorded, and in 2022, 346 school shootings were recorded, the most school shootings recorded in American history at that point. In 2022 alone, 131 people died from the shootings with an additional 57 people being injured in these incidents as reported by USAFacts. With calls for tighter security restrictions from parents and school administrators, the Hillsborough Township Board of Education in partnership with the Hillsborough Township Police Department established additional security measures to protect staff and students at Hillsborough schools throughout the day.
One of those additional security measures is the addition of building monitors at all nine district schools. HHS has three Building Monitors, Mr. John Skikus, Mr. Bryan Delisi, and Ms. Brandie Franco, along with HTPS District Coordinator of School Security Operations, Mr. David Stokoe. Prior to becoming building monitors, most of the security personnel have extensive experience in law enforcement. “The security team is mostly retired law enforcement officers each possessing over twenty-five years of experience before coming to the Hillsborough Township Public Schools,” Stokoe said. Stokoe added that the security personnel were added as an additional security measure to further enhance the physical security measures that are currently in place. Each of these building monitors have their own respective responsibilities during the day. DeLisi serves as the crossing supervisor between the 300s and the 700s and monitoring of the parking lots at the High School. Franco serves as the full time building monitor who is present at HHS from the start of the day until the end of the day. Skikus is present from the beginning of the first lunch and remains until 6 PM overseeing all after school activities. All of the building monitors along with Stokoe patrol the halls of HHS throughout the day ensuring that all security cameras are functioning, exterior doors are locked during the day, and assistance is provided during security drills and incidents. “If there is a conflict between students, they’re certainly going to step in to help de-escalate that conflict,” said HHS Principal Jeffrey DiLollo. Skikus added, “A big part of our responsibility is keeping the kids safe and ensuring that nobody’s getting in here that doesn’t belong here. So everyone that comes into this building’s got to have some sort of level of accountability, and we understand why they are accessing our building.”
The security measures don’t stop there. Similar to other schools across the country, HHS has a school resource officer in collaboration with the Hillsborough Township Police Department, Officer Chris Kennedy, a 20-year law enforcement veteran who is currently in his second year as a school resource officer. Kennedy works directly with the HHS Administration and the building monitors to ensure that HHS is safe and secure throughout the day. “Most of the monitors come from a law enforcement background and are trained to observe and de-escalate. So, the extra pair of eyes and knowing what’s going on in the school is really helpful,” Kennedy said.
Students at HHS have provided mixed opinions on having the building monitors and the school resource officer. Freshman Emme Gordon said, “Though I haven’t noticed them, knowing that they’re there makes me view the school as safer.” Sophomore Madison Fariello provided an alternative perspective. “Honestly, there have been a lot less fights since my freshman year, but I believe that the school needs to focus more on resolving conflicts, so they don’t lead into fights. The school disregards bullying and harassment and commonly punishes or ignores the victims of these situations.” said Fariello.
An additional security measure added to all nine schools in Hillsborough were the vestibules in the front entrance of every school. “The vestibule was installed during the 2021-2022 school year as part of a referendum. They were added so school personnel had the ability to screen and then sign in visitors prior to granting them access to the entire building. It has been very effective at helping us sign visitors in an orderly manner, control situations and enforce the new no-drop-off policy. It also helps us enforce our new sign in policy, which requires visitors to provide their id which we then scan and produce visitor passes,” said Steven Jablonski, HHS Vice Principal in charge of security and facilities.
“The unique energy that comes from this school is by far my favorite part. Everybody on Monday is miserable, but we are miserable together. Then on Friday, everyone is happy and everyone is happy together. It’s sort of an endless flow to the week and the way we get through things together,” said Kennedy.
“The students are the best part of working at HHS. I get to know a lot of kids and I get to talk to them everyday,” said Skikus.
