COLUMBIA SCHOOL BOARD VOTES TO HIRE SAFETY AND SECURITY OFFICER AFTER BOROUGH COUNCIL TERMINATES COMMUNITY SAFETY OFFICER AGREEMENT

The Columbia Borough Board of School Directors remains committed to providing a positive, safe, and supportive environment in our schools. We continue to invest by upgrading our facilities with safety features, regular safety trainings, and allocating resources. At the August 24, 2023, Regular School Board meeting, the board voted to hire a District Safety and Security Manager. In addition, the District will post two safety officer positions to serve as security resources in each of our schools. These steps were necessary because:

• The Columbia Borough Police Department will not provide a School Resource Officer (SRO), a service which is commonly provided by local police departments, to all surrounding districts.
• Due to the police department not providing an SRO, the District worked with the Borough to hire a Community Safety Officer (CSO) for the Hill Campus location.
• At the June 13, 2023 Columbia Borough Council meeting, less than one year later, the Council voted (6-1) to terminate the Community Safety Officer agreement.

Due to the Borough Council's actions, the District has established district safety and security positions. These positions are intended to increase daily safety and security prevention measures in each of our schools. The District will continue to work with the local police department for any law enforcement needs.

We will advocate and remain committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders for the safety of our students and staff.

 In conclusion, the Columbia Borough Board of School Directors would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for our teachers, staff, and administration for their tireless efforts to create positive, supportive, and safe environments in our schools for the students in the Columbia Borough School District.

https://www.columbiabsd.org/article/1215179 

Updated restroom hours posted at Columbia Crossing, as of Thursday, August 24, 2023

 

Columbia Borough school board OKs commercial advertising in schools | Community News | lancasteronline.com

The board approved a change in school district policy to allow commercial advertising in schools. In a 6-0 vote, the board codified a contract with Market Street Sports Group to sell advertising/sponsorship rights to local businesses for the district's sports teams.

The school district receives 70% of net proceeds in a two-year agreement. No local advertisers have signed on with Columbia Borough schools yet. Sports facilities will not be part of the naming rights.

The district plans to use proceeds to fund future athletic programs.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-borough-school-board-oks-commercial-advertising-in-schools/article_4129fb38-4126-11ee-8b88-c7ea2c54d3f3.html 

PA local governments might soon hire firms as managers · Spotlight PA State College

Local governments in Pennsylvania might soon have the option to hire professional firms to be municipal managers, a change that proponents say could improve local government services while saving taxpayers money.

Three sets of bills in the legislature would amend the governing laws for Pennsylvania boroughs, second class townships, and third class cities — classified by population sizes — and provide an alternative municipal management option. First class townships have had the choice since 2020.

Under current law, Pennsylvania municipalities can only appoint individuals as managers, a rule that state Rep. Bob Freeman (D., Northampton) said can be particularly burdensome for smaller communities that are unable to pay the salary and benefits of a full-time administrator or manager on their own.

MORE:

https://www.spotlightpa.org/statecollege/2023/08/pennsylvania-legislature-local-government-management/ 

How to hold local PA officials accountable · Spotlight PA State College

Local government accountability involves everyone.

In January, Spotlight PA hosted a virtual panel on Pennsylvania's fragmented system of local government and how that setup affects municipal oversight.

Spotlight PA held a follow-up panel on Aug. 3 to discuss how Pennsylvanians can be better involved in local government and what to do when problems arise. Here are five takeaways from the conversation, which can be viewed in full on spotlightpa.org.

Throughout the discussion, the panelists stressed the need for the public to pay attention to local government, and emphasized the influence residents can have on municipal transparency. They lamented the decline of local news outlets, which had a long tradition of keeping residents informed. Without newsrooms, residents and officials can be further alienated from each other.

For local governments to be accountable, Elia said elected officials should try to make public information easily accessible to constituents and listen to them even if opinions differ. Primm said municipalities should take professional management seriously and promote strong ethics and technical competence among staff. And Fogle advised Pennsylvanians to talk with their neighbors and all their local officials, including those on authorities, advisory boards, or commissions.

"Accountability is certainly to have a fair process, to hear what all the opinions are, and to look at what is best for the community," Fogle said.

MORE:

https://www.spotlightpa.org/statecollege/2023/08/local-government-elected-officials-accountability-transparency/ 

Sheriffs and K-9 seen near 3rd & Cherry Tuesday morning

 

Three sheriffs' vehicles and several officers, including a K-9 officer, were seen in the area of South 3rd & Cherry Streets Tuesday morning (8/22/23), shortly before noon. No further information is available at this time.

[Submitted photos]

Agenda - Columbia Borough Council Meeting - August 22, 2023

 

The meeting packet is HERE.