LH security chief ordered into uniform
?From now on, the chief of security for Laurel Highlands School District will be wearing a uniform at work.
The school board voted 6-2 in favor of requiring Richard Barron to wear a uniform at all times on the job, with directors Tom Vernon and Angelo Giachetti voting against it. Superintendent Jesse Wallace had also recommended that Barron be allowed to continue to wear street clothes during the school day, only donning a uniform for home football and basketball games.
“The uniform for the entire day conflicts with some of the other duties he performs for the district,” Wallace told the board prior to the vote. “He goes to homes regarding truancy issues and many of the people he deals with have had negative dealings with the police.”
Wallace said that for Barron to show up at some homes wearing a uniform could hinder his ability to interact in a positive manner with the families.
Vernon called the vote a slap in the face for the school security chief and later in the meeting asked when the matter had been discussed with the whole board, since he had not been privy to prior discussions on the matter. It was not specifically included on the agenda.
Vernon said school Director Bill Elias was picking on Barron and would have made a motion last month to dismiss the officer if he had been able to get enough votes to support the action.