Amid talks of cuts, school police say they are busier than ever

By Emily Richmond

Thursday, May 8, 2003 | 9:43 a.m.

Two fights broke out at Valley High School Wednesday, both quickly quelled by the two school police officers assigned to the campus.

"Two girls were going at it, and everybody gathered around and starting yelling and cheering," said Valley freshman Princess Browne, who witnessed the first altercation between second and third period. "But the police were there in like, a minute, and stopped the whole thing, the way they always do."

Phil Gervasi, president of Clark County School District's Police Officers Association, said since January his officers have broken up 216 fights, followed up on countless tips from students about drug and gang activity, and confiscated 48 guns and 77 knives.

"We're busier than ever," Gervasi said Wednesday, after hosting a news conference in Valley's parking lot. "I've been here 10 years, and every year the district has initiated the thought of cutting school police to save dollars. The truth is if kids don't feel safe, they can't learn."

Faced with a potential $111 million shortfall, the Clark County School Board voted Wednesday to approve a tentative draft budget that calls for shortening the school week to four days, eliminating middle school sports and eliminating about 900 educator and administrator jobs. School district officials have said the budget will only be necessary if Gov. Kenny Guinn's tax plan does not pass the Legislature.

Cutting school police by as much as 25 percent -- about 33 positions -- was on a list of alternative cuts being considered by the board, but was not included in the approved budget. Gervasi said he doesn't believe his organization is in the clear, however.

"We know the school district is facing very tough financial times, and we support everything the school board is trying to do," Gervasi said. "But we also know it's time for the Legislature to step up to the plate and fund our schools the right way. The safety of our children is at stake."

Edward Goldman, superintendent of the district's southeast region and a police union contract negotiator, said he did not believe the campus cops would be cut.

"You can't not have policemen on campus," Goldman said. "It's just not logical in a district our size."

Even if the School Board decides later to adopt the 25 percent reduction recommendation, those positions could be retained using funds from a federal grant the district recently received, Goldman said.

Officer Howard Baker, who has been assigned to Valley since joining the school police 10 years ago, said the occasional scuffles are a far cry from the campus environment he found when he arrived.

"We used to have to escort teachers to their cars at the end of the day," Baker said. "Now we haven't had a gang-related fight in three years, and the last gun we found was a pellet gun that same year."

Students are regular visitors to the office Baker shares with the other officer assigned to the campus. Students know they can make anonymous reports of planned fights, drug use or bullying, Baker said.

"I love my job because I know our presence here makes a difference," Baker said. "This is our chance to reach a lot of these kids and have an impact. You can't reach an adult the same way. Once they're out there, they're gone."