Successful mill levy means new safety director in 27J

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

27J Schools made good on its promise to begin a school safety program.

Late last month, the district made its rst step in that direction by hiring its rst director of safety and security. He is Sam Ortega.

Before the November election, a press statement said the district community focused on improving school safety, including a safety/ security department, more safety o cers in schools and more training for safety sta .

Ortega has been the district’s emergency response and crisis coordinator, one of two members of the district safety sta serving the 23,000-student school district.

Ortega’s tasks include planning and putting into place a safety and security department, plus developing and executing short- and longrange plans/.

“Sam brings a unique blend of school administration and school safety systems experience to the new position,” the statement read.

“He has rst-hand knowledge of the safety focus school leaders have, and he has strong relationships with local law enforcement, including the Brighton, Commerce City, and ornton Police Departments, as well as the Adams County Sheri ’s Department. He’s trained with police o cers in school safety drills, planning and problem-solving situations involving all of the district’s 24 district-managed schools”