COPS TAKE PLACE IN SCHOOLS

Police officers are being cycled into schools in Cleveland School District
as part of a COPS Grant that outlines objectives to send messages of
anti-smoking and anti-drugs while building self-esteem among students.

Officer Wayne Vick began the program by entering Cleveland High School
Thursday. He'll also cover Margaret Green Junior High School and Pearman
Elementary as part of his beat.

To be sure not to under staff the police department, Cleveland Public
Safety Commissioner Drew Warren said officers will be cycled into schools
in a 30-day sequence.

The next officer begins work in East Side High School, Cypress Park
Elementary School and Eastwood Junior High School next month. A third
officer will be deployed into Nailor Elementary School, Bell Elementary and
possibly Parks Elementary or Hayes Cooper Center beginning in early January.

"It needs to be clear to everyone that the COPS Grant is not for law
enforcement," said Superintendent Reggie Barnes. "We're not putting police
officers in the schools because our schools are such that we have such
behavior problems that we need a police officer."

The officers are in these schools for student training exercises and
self-esteem and will be teaching classes, Barnes said. They'll be held
responsible for special assembly programs on building character, anti-drug
and anti-smoking awareness.

"Now, should a catastrophic event occur on campus, we have a trained
officer there to assist," Barnes said. "Should a catastrophic event occur
that is health related, they're trained in CPR ... plus we have a direct
link to 911 or whatever services that are needed.

"I think it's going to be a great thing for Cleveland."

Warren was unable to be reached for further comment this morning, but will
be releasing more information concerning the COPS Grant Monday.

However, in similar matters he told the board of the newly purchased
narcotics dog, Ace, which has also been trained as a search dog.

"So in the event that we have a lost child in the city, we have an animal
that is trained to go out and find that person - so we'll have a dog right
there that can be utilized for a situation like that," Warren said.

He also mentioned plans to purchase a new computer and program that will
contain the names and faces of all the children in the district with
photograph-specific data.

"This would give us an opportunity if we have an event where we have a
missing, abducted child that we could immediately, through all the networks
both state and national, e-mail the photograph of the missing child and
important data on the child," Warren said.

Immediately, the police would be able to put that information out to
medias. Warren is already looking at computers and programs that would meet
his specifics. Using half of a grant the police recently received, Warren
hopes to purchase and get the system started by the first of next year.

In other board business, East Side High School and Cleveland High School
made requests for permission to increase the prices of tickets for athletic
events. The board voted to take the request under advisement.

Eastside High School asked to raise the prices of basketball and baseball
tickets to $4, track and softball to $3, and football to $5 across the
board - not just for adults but for children, too.

Cleveland High School requested that football tickets be raised to $5
across the board also. Basketball and baseball tickets were requested to be
increased from $3 to $4. Other sports would remain at $3.

"My recommendation is this, that the athletic directors get with their
schools, their PTAs and come to some consensus," Board Chairman Maurice
Lucas said.

"You don't want to price your citizens out of coming to the activities. I
know it's tough financial times and all of that, but you got to make some
concession and consideration for your people."

Public comment arose moments later that addressed over 20 concerns about
Nailor Elementary and Eastwood Junior High School students, faculty,
classroom environments and AmeriCorps workers.

Josephine Ware said she was representing concerned parents for both
schools, alleging students suffer from excessive paddling, verbal abuse,
tampered grades and the necessity of wading through rainwater when walking
to and from the cafeteria.

The roles of substitute teachers and "unbearable" bathroom odors were also
mentioned on a long list given to the board.

At Eastwood Junior High School, Ware made allegations that ranged from the
mention of teachers who are concerned with preferential treatment from
administrators to students who feel they are being sent home for unjust
reasons.

Barnes thanked her for her concern and willingness to speak to the board,
and promised to look into every mentioned observation on Ware's list.