Andover High Has Appointed A School Resource Officer: Superintendent

ANDOVER, MA—With the first day of classes in Andover Public Schools scheduled for Aug. 31, the district recently announced it has appointed a school resource officer (SRO) for Andover High School.

In a letter sent to Andover families earlier this month, Superintendant Magda Parvey said Thomas Paolera, an Andover police officer, would be the SRO at the high school.

Parvey said that after recent gun violence incidents at schools around the country, the district began working with an outside safety and security consulting firm.

Though the district plans to present its full safety plan later in the fall, Parvey said the appointment of an SRO resulted from an assessment of security and safety practices within the schools.

"I recognize there may be some trepidation with the return of an SRO to the high school," Parvey said in the letter. "Officer Paolera's role is to ensure the physical safety of the school campus. He is not responsible for enforcing school regulations, serving as a school disciplinarian, or using police powers to address traditional school discipline issues, including non-violent disruptive behavior. These responsibilities remain with AHS Principal Caitlin Brown and the school administration."

Parvey said she has welcomed feedback from students, families and staff relating to the SRO position and said she will encourage similar conversations throughout the school year.

"Officer Paolera shares this willingness to engage with our students and looks forward to meeting with the school community to answer any questions. Principal Brown will work with him to schedule these opportunities," Parvey said.

Parvey said Andover Police Chief Patrick Keefe assigned Paolera to the SRO position because Keefe believes Paolera will "strive to foster an optimal learning environment and educational community that promotes a strong partnership between school and police personnel."

According to the district, Paolera is a 2008 Andover High graduate who has been an active member of the APD for nearly a decade. He spent five years before that working as a reserve officer.

Paolera also has prior experience promoting a safe and secure school campus, having worked closely with the administration and student groups at Harvard University, the district said.

Additionally, Paolera has spent time working locally as a wrestling coach and has volunteered with Andover Youth Services.

"I am confident that (Paolera's) ability to connect to the community, especially our students, will be an asset to AHS," Parvey said in the letter.