Columbus City Schools upgrading security to improve safety

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — As Columbus City Schools prepares for the first day of class, students will see some fresh new faces and they aren't students.

The district has upgraded its security staff adding 31 new members.

"For Columbus City Schools we want to be responsive. We look at everything going on. Not just Columbus, not just Ohio, but in the nation. And we have learned as a result of having our own security department is that we have been very effective in our schools, " said Safety and Security Director Chris Ward.

The new addition makes the security team 84 members strong. They will be identified wearing blue shirts, and will roam through all of the district schools.

"They will be deployed into our schools and will have a bigger footprint, specifically in our elementary schools," said Ward.

He stressed the staff members are not police officers, but they have been trained on safety and security measures with Columbus Police.

They will not carry a gun, and they do more than just teach about right from wrong, said Ward.

"They in many cases will be looked at as mentors, role models, " said Ward. "A lot of our security staff are coaches. They coach extracurricular sports and activities."

Columbus City Schools returns to class Thursday Aug. 22.