Boardman police, Boardman Local Schools and an expected contingent of area law enforcement agencies and the FBI will stage mock a emergency situation at Boardman High School on Wed., Apr. 3 as a training aid, should something drastic happen in the district, Boardman Police Chief Jack Nichols told Trustees on Monday night.
      “We plan to test and assess our response to an emergency within the school system,” Chief Nichols told Trustees.
      60 members of the high school drama club will help stage the event that will be led by former Boardman police officer Don Fisher, himself a member of the Class of 1966 at Boardman High School.
      Following a brief career with the BPD, Fisher became a CIA agent, including service in the Mid-East.
      “Following the mock disaster, we will have a review session in the afternoon. That will be followed with a review session with the school staff and local school board,” Chief Nichols told police.
      “The training will take place as if an outsider has gained access to the high school and shots have been fired,” Chief Nichols told Trustees.
      Already the Boardman Police Dept. has a tactical, first response unit designed to handle potential hostage situations in the local schools. That unit practiced seven years ago under the direction of Officer Glen Riddle, in sessions that would place police officers in a direct line of fire, in efforts to first insure the safety of students.
      In other matters, Trustees made a conditional offer of employment to Kevin Stratton to be added as a police officer. Stratton has seven years experience with the Goshen Township PD and will be added to the ranks of the BPD following final background checks.
      Mike Kurilla addressed Trustees on Monday night, expressing opposition to a planned unit development off Brandon Ave.
      The PUD has been proposed by Dougherty Construction and was the subject of a recent Zoning Board of Appeals hearing. The matter was continued and has remained inactive since that time.
      According to Kurilla, the construction company seeks to build upwards of eight, six-plex units on two plats of land at the northern end of Brandon Ave.
      Kurilla described Brandon Ave. as “a quiet residential street.”
      Trustees approved the purchase of $17,059 worth of ammunition for the police department; and did not act on a recommendation to purchase a new police cruiser.