PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – A New committee was assembled in Calvert County over the last three months. The Student Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee’s (SSWAC) purpose is to recommend ideas that will increase the security of students and create a safe atmosphere.
The official mission on the SSWAC webpage states, “The purpose of the Student Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee (SSWAC) is to make recommendations intending to enhance the learning environment and improve school culture and climate by considering the latest school safety best practices and make recommendations that position the County’s learning environments to be ahead of new threats, concerns and safety mandates.”
According to the Calvert County Government website, the SSWAC was approved in May of 2024 because of ongoing safety issues facing Calvert County students. “The committee’s formation was prompted by comments and concerns received from parents, students, teachers, staff, and the Sheriff’s Office regarding increased violence and harmful behaviors taking place within county schools.”
The Adopted Resolution states that the Student Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee will hold a meeting at least once every quarter year. This ensures that all possible efforts are being taken to consider new threats to school safety and how to solve them.
The Calvert County Board Of Commissioners is in charge of appointing members for the SSWAC. Appointed SSWAC members will serve without any compensation. The Calvert County Board Of Commissioners’ goal is to ensure that there’s an evenly divided number of members from Districts 1, 2, and 3.
A total of 15 members were appointed for the SSWAC. You’ll find each member’s name listed below.
- Dana Jones – Chair
- 1st Sgt. Vincent O’Donnell – Sheriff’s Office
- Cpl. Nick DeFelice – Sheriff’s Office
- Sgt. Kemery Hunt – Maryland Police Representative
- Kadesha Pleger – Calvert Educational Support Staff Representative
- Denise Dickerson – Substance Abuse Treatment Representative
- Katelyn Liptak – Mental Health And Well-Being Representative
- Joseph Pignataro – Maryland Center For School Safety Representative
- Jason Oates – Calvert Education Association Representative
- Leslie Irvin – District 1 Representative
- Guy Stephens – District 1 Representative
- Brandon Temple – District 2 Representative
- Deborah Harris – District 2 Representative
- Sinetra Bowdry – District 3 Representative
- Marcus Newsome – District 3 Representative
The Student Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee is set to change the way Calvert County deals with safety in schools. If you have any questions about the new board, you can direct all emails to sswac@calvertcountymd.gov.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
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