Toki Middle School Could Get Security Cameras
Parents, Staff Express Concerns About Safety Issues
Updated: 7:50 pm CDT April 24, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- Madison Metropolitan School District officials said that Toki Middle School could get security cameras to help monitor the student body there, perhaps by next school year.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportSecurity Director Luis Yudice told WISC-TV that Sennett Middle is currently the only middle school with cameras. It has four of them, and Yudice said that if funding is approved, Toki could get a similar system.Yudice said the camera idea came up probably sometime last year and is part of an ongoing discussion about how to keep all schools safe.This school year some parents, teachers and staff have complained about increasing safety and violence issues at Toki, including bad behavior at the school.Last March, after a packed PTO meeting, school district officials added another security guard and a "dean of students" to help keep the peace. A positive behavior curriculum program was initiated as well."We certainly have a greater comfort level with where the school is headed at this point," Yudice said.However, some said that a couple of recent fights at the school posted on YouTube.com show the problems haven't gotten any better.PTO President Betsy Reck said teachers have told her things have not improved, despite the extra efforts the last month or so. She said many believe more needs to be done."It's a typical, almost daily, occurrence, the fights at Toki," Reck said. "It's a very sad sort of affairs over there right now that they cannot get that under control."Last week, police were called to the school for two fights, which apparently were caught on video by students and posted recently on YouTube.com. They have since been removed from the site.District officials said they are taking appropriate disciplinary action against the girls involved in the incidents.Yudice said the videos are not proof that things at Toki are getting worse. While he admits there are no statistics yet to back it up, Yudice said that efforts like adding more security and hallway staff are paying off."I can tell you anecdotally that the principal has received very positive feedback from her staff indicating that their perception of the school climate is a very positive one," Yudice said.But Reck said teachers have told her the new measures aren't working. Reck said she believes a so-called positive behavior plan at the school needs to be changed to include clear, stiff penalties for bad behavior.
Previous Stories:
- April 23, 2008: Student Fights At Toki Middle School Posted Online
- March 13, 2008: Toki Middle School Increases Security Amid Concerns
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