Monday, July 28, 2014

Security guards lack of raise

On another post Anonymous wrote:

"POSTING PLEASE

Will the Security ever get a raise?
Security work so hard. Security are hands on in the schools and make so much less than School Police. School Security make a huge difference in these schools and are not noticed. If their are lazy guards fire them. For the ones that put their life in danger daily(good job)and you should be making more money for the stress,counseling students,bruises,injuries,calming the staff down, breaking up fights with multiple students at one time, controlling irate parents, danger they are in, drugs you find, guns that you stop from getting into the schools and so much more. If their were no guards the police would have to handle the job. By the time the police get their the kids are calm and separated in rooms. We respect the Officers because by law they do have arresting powers. Security are never noticed or rewarded in any way. They keep the schools safe and deserve to feel appreciated and that they are not looked at as a dumb security guard."

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm a PPS teacher. Let me say this. The PPS school police have very little impact on school safety. That's because they are never in the schools. All they do is ride around in their patrol cars.

Most fights are over by the time the school police arrive on the scene. So all they do is transport offenders to juvenile hall.

As the original poster said, it's the security guards who do all the real school safety work. I've taught for over 20 years, and I've never once had a school police officer come to my aid. That's because they are never around!

But the school security guards are always there when you need them. They are good people and deserve to be treated like professionals.

Anonymous said...

In my 30-plus years of service, I have met some of the finest security guards ever. Yeah, there were a few who were no ball of fire, but when things were getting bad, they were there. Believe me, there was no more comforting sight than a light blue shirt at your door as a student was tossing the room. God Bless Them, God Bless Them ALL!

Anonymous said...

Every school needs a security officer. This would solve a lot of the elementary issues discussed on this blog.
Given that admin are busy, evaluating, someone has to feel that order is a school objective.

Anonymous said...

10:33 you make me wonder if just the presence of a security officer in elementary buildings would have a positive impact to the atmosphere/behavior.

Anonymous said...

10:33
I can't speak for all elementary buildings, but I have been an elementary teacher in several K-8's and having a security officer made a big difference.

At one time we had two at King. Having them walk the halls, take a child for a time out, escort fighting students to the office, return students to class when they were roaming halls, and just being another visible adult presence was a great benefit to the younger children as well as the middle school aged children. (Thanks are in order to Officer Tommy & Officer Missy!!)

Unfortunately, they were injured on the job while breaking up fights. The district did not send replacement or substitute security. We were told this was standard practice.

We lost our security people for the rest of the year. The school became increasingly dangerous, students were leaving class and leaving the building, smoking pot in stairwells, fighting and hurting teachers, and sexual assaults occurred.

After a lot of complaints, Nina came up to investigate and was knocked down trying to assist in breaking up a fight. Tarka ordered school police to patrol school for rest of year (I think it was already end of May, too little too late) The school police were useless in dealing with the students. Did not know how to interact with or help students, they wrote a bunch of citations and not much else.

A security officer builds rapport and relationships with children. This is a person who can intervene and help teachers and students in a positive safe way. There should be at least one in EVERY school!

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:33 forget getting security in every building.They are short security guards { hurt,sick or on a leave of absence due to stress }and they will not hire anymore,actually they want to cut 10% more.i am a teacher in a school who works closely with security and i feel bad for these men and women when they get cussed at spit on swung at and they keep their cool and maintain order. i agree We need more security in all of the schools not only to protect the staff and students but to protect themselves.When 1 security officer take off the rest of security are short handed ,imagine when 2 take off on the same day the school is crazy and the people in charge will not send school police to back them up or fill in for security.

Anonymous said...

security don't need a raise they need help.Mr Brown i know you read these blogs so listen to the people. Hopefully when the chief comes back she will fight for more security If Brow don't.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Security most diffidently need a raise. How do the Police make $46,000 and with over time $85,000 and they are 12 months and Security are unemployed over the summer unable to collect unemployment after working their tails off. The Security Guards have experience and protect and serve. Most of the Officers would never last in a school. When they are there they look at Security to handle the fights and work. Your the Police - yes Police when Security is around help them! Security do more work than any Police Force in Pittsburgh!!! Oh I get it a Security Guard is just a dumb robot that does not need to be paid what they are worth.

Anonymous said...

The Police would last in a school. They would sit all day and do nothing like they do now! NOW LETS BE HONEST WHO DO YOU FEEL SAFER WITH THE SCHOOL POLICE OR SCHOOL SECURITY?

Anonymous said...

This year's issues all revolve around the implementation of new procedures to adhere to the Code of Conduct. School safety officers are now going to have to be even more adept at being social workers/counselors. Also since there has been a move to decriminalize offenses do we need fewer school police officers?

is there a good plan for training teachers and other staff on applying the code before school starts? If not, "discretion" will gain a whole new meaning.


Anonymous said...

Saying that Security do not need a raise is an insult! OKay, So why are the police entitled to 45,000 a year and with over time $85,000? The Security make no where near that and they are laid off July and August unable to collect employment! As far as the Security in the Elementary Schools they need more school social workers to deal with the kids behavior issues. The Security in the PPS do need better training. How do you fall with a student without getting hurt? They want more training! They do need to get rid of the useless guards that make the guards that work them self to the point of stress because some are useless and lazy just like any position. This is a job where if your afraid of breaking up a fight see ya!

Anonymous said...

Adding security to elementary schools would enhance the stability and security in those schools, could prove to be a mentoring model fo security/law enforcement being a friend to the student and would instill in the children at an early age a need for discipline, safety and respect.

Anonymous said...

Comment before this... Security already do what you have stated in the middle schools and high schools and security would welcome elementary schools. Elementary schools will also need more than one social worker. I have worked with many social workers that the kids do not care for nor trust. Your right the kids do trust the security because they know that they care about their well being and education. I may add that this year they should had put security by seniority into what schools they wanted and over time this year should go from seniority down the list. Middle school and Elementary Officer should also get over time. One thing I never could understand is why Middle Schools only have one Security Officer. These kids are big these days and out of control. You want one guard to handle irate parents who bring the entire family to the school. Really, They bring the entire family and want to fist fight scream. Of course the Security get it all under control and then the police come. We just need one officer in every building with arrest powers that is in good shape.

Anonymous said...

Of course there is no plan of implementation-- "discretion" is a word for-- keeping things fuzzy so there are NO expectations for PELAs.
When confronted anywhere else in the community- like the street or a grocery store- with the behaviors that students demonstrate -- any thinking adult would expect something to happen to end the behavior. But the fuzzy logic of PPS says- this suffering student who is performing will "learn more" by being in the classroom and so will others around the student.

Anonymous said...

Bringing in PELA'S was a horrible idea! Most of them are not from the city. They in no way or form can handle the kids nor have a relationship with them. They talk to staff stuffy! Does the DIstrict want the kids back in these schools? This is your start, Start a behavior program that will work in the district! Ask Security in the problem schools what is needed not Administrators that hide behind their desk and bonuses that the staff earned them! They should give the entire staff a bonus! The Administrators are so fake when the big shots come into the building. On the intercom the Administrator will announce that they are having visitors from the district and all hallways should be clear, classrooms under control and so on. School Board the employees have been crying out to you. We adore our children but can not handle their issues and ours at the same time. We need a system for the behavior that the Administrators need to do not depend on the staff to start. The staff need more than a half hour break a day from this stress! Get rid of the Security that is useless! Replace them with hard working guards like their are a lot in the schools. Give the Security a raise not the Administrators that do nothing! Don't lay the Security off with no income because they work hard! These schools could be full with kids! Security and even custodians know what happens behind the scenes. The district needs to get rid of lady staff from food service to Admins and show everyone respect because these schools need everyone to run! What can we do to get the parents more involved and please do not give out free gift cards for them to come. That brings the WRONG parents! Lets look at discipline then curriculum in these schools! Ask the staff to fill out questionnaires three times a year!

Anonymous said...

All the staff need a class on self defense. This way they can protect themselves from the kids that are physically abusive.

Anonymous said...

1028, OMG

If "staff" is the enemy, it is not a place where students have any chance of being transformed or successful.

Lord have mercy!

Anonymous said...

SOMEONE WROTE If "staff" is the enemy, it is not a place where students have any chance of being transformed or successful.

Lord have mercy!

You do not have a clue about the schools and in a few of these schools where staff are hit they need to know how to defend their selves! Yes, The schools that are in the bad areas where the kids sell drugs and murder each other in their own neighborhood bring that crime and abuse into the school! Lord Have Mercy is right these neighborhoods that destroy their own society and schools can not be successful! Get it straight!

Anonymous said...

Some may have it a lot "straighter" than those commenting here. There are those (myself and friends) who work in the schools in neighborhoods that you speak about who are respected, even revered by students, including those you condemn.

Getting it straight means that clearly there are too many adults in schools who do not belong there. That is the real problem. Your view of these kids elicits the response that you get. That's 'straight'!

Anonymous said...

Getting it straight means that clearly there are too many adults in schools who do not belong there. That is the real problem. Your view of these kids elicits the response that you get. That's 'straight'!

You say too many adults do not belong it these schools wow that is a lot of staff that have that in common! Your so right the kids do not bring weapons and drugs to school! They never ever put there hand on each other or staff members. These kids are so quiet and respectful in class that that actually get straight A's! They never ever swear in front of kids or staff! Their parents never come to the schools irate! The staff members love to come to work at told to shut the f@@@ up! Do you think that maybe their to many mentally sick, abused, behavior problem kids? No of Course not its the staff! The way the kids act is just normal.

I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU GOT IT STRAIGHT! TY

Anonymous said...

They need to put the School Police in these schools! Not to just sit there either! The police can walk the halls and make sure the school is safe! When their is a problem handle it do not wait for Security to handle it. You are the Police. Every time I walk into a school and the Police are there they are sitting in a chair.

Anonymous said...

A substantial numbers of Pure Reform bloggers would do well to read, cover-to-cover, this month's issue of CRISIS magazine.

It is never too late learn in ways that will transform, first your thinking, and subsequently your life!

Anonymous said...

CRISIS Magazine? Okay I will write a weekly one in the district about the district and kids too. WE ARE IN A CRISIS!

Anonymous said...

New Post

Is it true that School Police will be in every high school this year or is this a rumor?

Anonymous said...

Yes, the School Police will be in High Schools. They have to justify why they need them. The Police already told the Security that they are there not to be Security. So what the Security get from that statement is that they are there not to break up fights, help teachers, counsel students, help parents, help at lunch or as they put it they are not Security so they can walk around and help only when a kid needs arrested. Why is a Police Officer being put in these schools? For what? So the district does not realize that they are not needed at all. Other than an arrest! So the Officer will get paid their $45,000 and over time while the Security still do everything in the building! This is a problem? Wait if your the Police with arrest powers. You would think that you would do a Police Officers job! This district needs to realize that without Security the District would be so much worse. Once again why do we have two chiefs and a commander of a Security department that does everything!? The district needs to get rid of the Police and give security a raise and have certain security become higher rank and become in charge. If the Police Officer hears a fight on the radio and only the Security run and make sure the kids is safe what is the purpose of them? The kids respect the Security and are not scared of the Police. The Police come into the schools with the attitude that I am an Police Officer attitude. All I have to do is sit here because I have a badge and make an arrest. The Police are telling the Security Officers that they do not want to be in these schools! Why not? Too much work for you? You do not care about children? The Security do not want them in the buildings because they will complain the entire time and do nothing. School Board if you really want to know what is truly happening interview a couple Security Officers so you are not told lies! Thank You!

Anonymous said...

Security Guard lack of raise and respect. They do it all in these schools and the mobile dept treat them like they are beneath them and dummies! Because they get away with doing nothing and making more. Once again why are their 2 Chiefs and a Commander that they do not need? WHAT do these Officers do all day? I KNOW THAT SECURITY WORK HARD AND RECEIVE NO RESPECT AND NEVER A RAISE LIKE MOBIL. The Security that work hard and trying to find new jobs. They are so tired of doing a law enforcement job for so much less than School Police. When they made the second Chief why? He is so Arrogant and rude. If Novicki does not stay with the Dept they need to hire outside of the Dept its too political!

Anonymous said...

Anon: Aug 26 7:26 .Do you realise that security do get raises ,They got a 2% raise for the last 5 years and the highest paid security in the state.I suggest if you don't like your job move on and see if there is a better paying job out there.You people who want more money might be asking for your self out of a job and they will hire a security firm and pay them $10.00 an hour.So please quit complaining and just do your job.

Anonymous said...

Anon Aug 26 7:26 I love my job and so thankful that i have one where most people wish they could be in your position making the money security makes and yes they did get a 2% raise every year for the last 5 years.where have you bin check your pay stubs. WOW you must be 1 of the bright 1s who doesn't do there job but likes to complain a lot.

Anonymous said...

Blaaaaaa, Blaaaaaaaaa, Blaaaaaaaaaaa! WOW as you said it the School Security received a 2% raise in five years and School Police received a $7,000 raise. You do your job. Your cocky and Williams should be Asst. Chief, not you! The Security Officers do so much and School Police do nothing! The School Police that are in the schools to not run to calls! They sit on their behind collecting $47,000 for doing nothing! In my opinion the Police Officer should be the first at the scene! They do not need you! Pay a Security Officer in these schools and guess what YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A GENIUS TO FIGURE THAT OUT!

Anonymous said...

It is sad are department is divided. Why don' t you focus on the job . I come to work and give 100%. Are job is to keep students and staff safe. Get over yourself and if you don't like it well....../ The board ties my hands but I smile everyday.

Anonymous said...

it is sad our department is divided. Why don't you focus on the job . I come to work and give 100%. Our job is to keep students and staff safe. Get over yourself and if you don't like it well....../ The board ties my hands but I smile everyday.

I had to correct the grammar it was driving me bonkers. Well...........

Anonymous said...

Remember to give 100% and smile today!

Anonymous said...

The School Police are sitting in the school doing absolutely nothing!NOTHING! Why would you take a guard out of the building that the kids have a re pore with and works and replace them with hiding Police Officers that are not visible? This is so ridiculous!So the Security make a lot less then the Police and they are aloud to do nothing!

Anonymous said...

I am a teacher and I know that we could not do our jobs without the security guards. They have a fantastic re pore with the kids and work hard! They do not get the respect or pay that they deserve keeping our schools in order. I can tell you that I work in a high school and the police in the buildings now just sit around. The security run to fights and the Officer just relaxes. God Bless every security guard because they are so unappreciated by the district! The first person that the kids always want to talk to to calm down is security. They do a fantastic job! Their should be a person in charge of security that is not the police. Promote hard working security to take charge. The only thing that the police are needed for is arresting a student (which is not to often)! When the security and officers work together the security are on the front lines. The police do not need to get paid to sit! What do the two chiefs do and a commander? ?????????????????? Can someone please post what they do please.? Why in the world is their two chiefs? Please help me understand please. The security have made a huge difference in the children's lives and they are ignored.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 7:58

You are not a teacher. You are the same security guard who keeps complaining on this blog. You get paid almost $23 dollars an hour AND you get overtime paid ar time and a half. Either take the time to get a degree, go thru the police academy, pass the test and become a police officer or be thankful that you have a job as a security guard in this current economy...without security certification I assume.

To all of the other security and school police, keep up the good work. You are appreciated! Thanks for all that you do on a daily basis to keep the kids AND staff safe.

Questioner said...

Yes, the security guard posting and the teacher posting seem to be written by the same person. The blog will be better with real occupation information.

Anonymous said...

Yes, as the other blog said. Security keep up the good work! Keep busting your butt while the Police do nothing! They make 21 an hour and are off in the summer with zero pay! Zero! The Police get paid in the summer, what ex actually do they do in the summer to earn that pay check? A lot of Security do not get over time! $21 an hour is not enough for the work that Security do! The Security keep these schools safe! NOT THE POLICE! The Police Department is not needed! The Police Department is not needed! The Police Department is not needed! The Police Department is not needed! The Police Department is not needed! The Police Department is not needed! The Police Department is not needed! The Police Department is not needed! The Police Department is not needed! The Police Department is not needed!

Anonymous said...

Security do not want to be school police because one day they will realize that they do not need you and shut your department down! Security are off all summer with no pay after working like dogs all year round. Do you have any idea the abuse and issues that Security deal with? The police are now in the schools sitting around not lifting a finger. What a disgrace to the police department. The department has 2 chiefs. Really?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Anonymous 7:58 Wrote:
To all of the other security and school police, keep up the good work. You are appreciated! Thanks for all that you do on a daily basis to keep the kids AND staff safe.
September 9, 2014 at 9:34 PM

Police keep up the good work? They come after the incident is completely over with! The Security keep the staff and kids safe! So explain to me. What ex actually are the Police needed for? $45,000 plus a ton of over time to the Police who do nothing!? This is so unfair! The Police do not have guns. Without guns what can they do that Security cant? Security are awesome in these schools! They have a re pore with everyone. How about have the Security write their daily duties and have the Police write theirs. Also write all situations and matters daily that both handle. Why in the world would they take a guard out of a high school and put an officer in the school that does nothing? They are the Police they should go to calls and fights too! No the Security will handle it as always!

Anonymous said...

Without Security their would not be a Police Department! Lets see the Security handles the situation and some times gets injured because a lot of offences are physical. A student harming another student or staff member. The Security collect all the statements and secure students until the Police come. The Police write a citation after the Security handles the entire situation and the kids are calm. The Security have relationships with teachers, staff, kids and parents!Sorry but the Security do deserve a raise and a job in the summer months. This is America and we are free to express our thoughts. The little man always gets screwed so we do not expect anything to happen to reward security. The district can continue to pay Police that do nothing in an out of the schools its their money being wasted. Oh wait its tax payers money being wasted! Police come in the building and expect the security to handle their situations. lol your the Police, why depend on a Security guard. lol How many times do the Police deal with irate kids and parents? How often are they sworn at or hit? None the Security are the experts!

Anonymous said...

Questionnaire,

Can these blogs please be sent to the board members. please and thank you!

Anonymous said...

Can the person in charge of approving these blogs please send all these blogs to the school board members?

Questioner said...

We will have to think about what is practical. We can send posts but we can't make them read. And if threads are constantly being sent then it may be less likely for any to be read. So most likely only selected threads should be sent, although certainly anyone can send board members a link (and if you feel you should remain anonymous just set up a free email account on hotmail, etc. that does not include your name).