By Doug Spoon, Editor
Perris Union High School District will soon put handheld metal detector wands into use at entrances to its schools in Menifee. In addition, board members will meet next week to discuss the possibility of purchasing walk-through metal detectors as well.
The purchase of the handheld wands was made more than a month ago, Superintendent Jose Araux told Menifee 24/7 on Thursday. He said they are currently being shipped here and district officials hope to have an announcement “in the coming weeks” about a rollout timeline for the devices.
Araux first announced this purchase at the PUHSD board meeting Wednesday night. Acknowledging public concern over an incident last week in which a student brought an airsoft gun onto the Heritage High School campus, Araux added that he was requesting a special meeting for board members to discuss the possibility of the walk-through devices as well.
“We have visited Hemet and five other districts and are corresponding with TRL Systems regarding a proposal. That’s one option,” Araux said in reference to a leading manufacturer of such security devices. “This is a top priority. I’m asking the board for a special meeting so we can analyze all options that will allow us to increase the safety of our staff and students.”
That meeting has been set for Nov. 20 at 4 p.m.
Araux said the district purchased 12 of the handheld wands and will utilize two at each high school in the district. Cost of that purchase was $4,888, he said.
On Nov. 6, Heritage High was placed on lockdown and police conducted a room-to-room search for a male student who posted a picture on social media of himself holding a gun while on campus. The student was detained and no one was injured. Neither the district nor the Menifee Police Department have released any information regarding disciplinary action taken against the student.
“I would like to thank the Menifee Police Department for an excellent job and their commitment to ensuring safety on campus,” Araux said. “Thank you also to the staff for handling the situation by following all protocols.”
That announcement was just one of many developments during the meeting, which was held at the PUHSD office in Perris.
At Araux’s request, an item proposing the promotion of Anthony T. Stafford Jr. to plant manager at Paloma Valley High School was removed from the agenda. Araux said it will be returned to the administration “for further processing.”
As Menifee 24/7 reported earlier, the administration is facing accusations of nepotism from Paloma Valley staff members who oppose the way in which Stafford was recommended for the position. Stafford’s father, Anthony T. Stafford Sr., is a member of the school board. His mother, Stephanie Stafford, is a former district co-worker and friend of Perris Lake High School principal Pauline Garcia, who was assigned to head the interview panel for the position.
Sources have told Menifee 24/7 they believe Stafford Jr. is not the most qualified for the job. One source said that, when questioned about poor reviews of his job performance, Stafford Jr. replied, “It doesn’t matter. They won’t fire me. I only have two writeups.”
Asked for clarification about the actions that will now be taken to resolve the issue, Araux declined further comment.
Another item was pulled from the agenda at the request of Chief Human Resources Officer Alfredo Andrade. The item, which sought approval of the job description for a new position of Coordinator – Human Resources under Andrade, failed to pass when it was brought up at the Oct. 25 board meeting,
In another matter, the board unanimously approved raises of 3.75 percent for the superintendent and all cabinet members. The board also unanimously approved a proposal to convert the pay system for substitute teachers from a flat rate per day to an hourly rate.
This allows the district to pay less to substitutes who are only needed for part of a day. The previous policy considered subs on assignment to be on a full-day pay rate.
