Nearly 20 years ago, Wright County Court Services Director Mike MacMillan and Buffalo High School Principal Nick Miller partnered to communicate about the well being of the students in the Buffalo School District. As the years passed, their initial partnership grew into a group that now includes multiple County, State, and City Representatives, including the Buffalo Police Department.
Now known as the Safe Schools Committee, approximately 30 members meet once a month to discuss safety issues that involve students in District 877. Everything from attendance, to how many students in the district are on probation, to traffic flow, to bus rules, are discussed at the meetings led by Buffalo High School Assistant Principal Rick Toso. Students from Buffalo High School are also included in this committee to provide input and to obtain their perspective on issues.
Since its creation, the committee has had some significant accomplishments including; discussion of learning options for high school students that led to the creation of the Phoenix Learning Center, a student pledge against gun violence, door greeters at the high school, development of a crisis plan, and the addition of a family resource worker and a school resource officer.
Today, Safe Schools continues to be an integral part of the communication and planning process concerning safety decisions regarding the students in District 877. The Buffalo Police Department is proud to be a part of that process.