As students walk through the doors, the SSOs remind students to put their lanyards on and around their necks. Lanyards were introduced in 2023, but are heavily enforced this school year. new SSOs.

“I think they’re really good at their job, and they keep our school very protected.” senior Chase Murphy said. Murphy was a freshman before the lanyards were implemented into the school’s safety policy.

“I’ve gone through some experiences where mine got stolen and I got in trouble for it. I do feel like there’s a better way of installing a system, like through an app or something like having an ID on your phone or Chromebook. Comparing to if you forget it at your home, you might get ISS or detention,” Murphy said.

The new SSOs were hired this year and welcome students at the door. Throughout the day they patrol the halls and are there as familiar faces.

“I’ll say ‘hi’ to them, or, ‘Good morning’ when I walk through the doors,” junior Will Jameson said, “They keep people who are supposed to be in school in the school and people that aren’t out of the school.” Jameson states he really does like their presence there, and states how important it is to have them there.

Officer Plank and SSO Rusty Imlay describe their roles here.

“I went through the Nazero training about five years ago. I’ve been trying to become a full time SRO and when Sergeant Quesenbery retired, it opened up a spot and I was selected to become the North SRO,” Officer Plank said. “I’ve been a patrolman for 11 years. I was on the SWAT team for eight years.”

Officer Plank goes on to state how involved he is with the school.

“I have a son that comes here and it’s really cool to get to see him and see how he acts and feels like everyone else,” Plank said.

Even though Plank has an officer’s badge, he isn’t completely employed through the Police Department.

“It’s a half and a half. It’s like half a school corporation, half the police department,” Plank said.

Plank works closely with Officer Rusty Imlay, the other new SSO.

“You have to be Tier One, which is in law enforcement, and I retired from the CPD (Columbus Police Department) and I took the job from here,” Officer Imlay said.

Imlay’s main roles as the SSO are the door checks and making sure their are present adults in the building.

“Making sure that staff and kids are safe, checking indoors to make sure they are all secure, making relationships with the kids and the staff,” Imlay said