New TPS school security

(TULSA, Okla.) Fox 23 - August 18 -

In just days thousands of Tulsa students will head back to school and police officers will meet them at the door. The district has a new security plan.

While having an officer in a school may not sound new, this year all Tulsa high schools will have a police officer on school grounds. And the school system will have their very own police force.

It’s all an effort to keep your kids safe. Kids like Betty Moore’s grandchildren who have only a few days left before they start school. Moore says she can't help but to think about how schools have changed.

"I remember years ago when children were more respectful in school and you really didn't have to do a lot of enforcing," she recalls.

She says hearing about all the things that happen in schools these days is frightening.

But she says she now will have more peace of mind after hearing the news that all Tulsa high schools will have police officers on campus and the school system will have its very own police force.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Zolkoski says having officers and security guards in all schools will help teachers and students stay focused.

"We're here to make sure our children are safe. We need to worry about curriculum and instruction and getting ready for college," Dr. Zolkoski says.

And keeping crime out is something Dr. Z says students are pushing for as many have taken part in the school's Crime Stoppers.

"I think want students want their schools safe too. It's a partnership with students. School is about kids and we want them to have fun and enjoy it, but we do have rules and we want to make sure they're safe," he says.

And safe is a four-letter word Betty Moore hopes is the most important to a successful school year.

Dr. Z says there will be 11 actual police officers in the high schools and nearly 50 security guards throughout the district.

Last April the Tulsa School Board approved new start times for all Tulsa public schools.

All elementary schools will start at 7:55 a.m.

Middle schools will start at 8:20 a.m.

And high schools will start at 8:50 a.m.

Copyright KOKI Fox 23 2007.