Officers' effect on problems unclear
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

Having police officers on campus has helped behavioral problems remain fairly minimal at El Campo ISD schools.

District statistics show either little change or slight dips in a number of serious disciplinary problems since two uniformed El Campo Police officers took on full-time roles at the middle and high schools in October.

There were two assaults at the high school just as Cpl. Robert Holder became the campus school resource officer, but none since, according to ECISD statistics. While there were 15 fights at the school in the first and second six weeks, there have been only four total in the third and fourth six weeks.

Persistent misbehavior incidents totaled 38 in the first 12 weeks of school, but only 11 during the next 12 weeks, and tobacco incidents went from 9 to 3 during the same two periods. Bus misconduct incident totaled 34 in the first 12 weeks but only 14 in the second, but insubordination offenses dropped only slightly, from 19 to 16.

At the middle school, where there are fewer disciplinary problems to begin with, the results are mixed.

Fighting and stealing incidents are down since Officer Jennifer Mican came on board. There were 21 fights in the first 12 weeks, but only 13 during the next 12 weeks. Stealing incidents went from 10 to 1 during the same periods.

Class disruption incidents, however, actually rose slightly, from 512 to 562. Also slightly up were bus misconduct, from 70 to 75 incidents in the same two 12-week periods.

Changes in the amount of corporal punishment administered vary by school.

At El Campo Middle School, five students received that punishment during the first 12 weeks, while the number was 12 for the next 12 weeks. At the high school, the figures were 51 and 35, respectively.