Rochester Adams Denies Army Officer Entrance

High School Security

Lieutenant Colonel Sherwood Baker has served in the Army for 24 years. Around 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, Baker stopped to check-in on his daughter, Kelly Baker, a new student at the high school. She was meeting with a counselor that morning regarding a class she was taking. However, three men and a woman working as third-party security contractors denied Baker access to the school. The four were wearing yellow shirts.

During an interview on the Frank Beckmann Show (WJR Radio), Baker said one of the men told him he “wasn’t allowed access to the building because I was in uniform … some Special Ed students in the building could go crazy when they saw me in uniform.”

Baker left after getting the assistant principal’s phone number. The school district explained they had no such policy to deny entrance to people in uniform despite the security personal stating it is a policy.

Disgraceful

Vito Anthony Pampalona, of the Yellow Ribbon Fund, told Rochester Media that this situation was “disgraceful” and the security person was “way, way out of line” and the “employee should be removed.” Pampalona suggests the school district needs an “overhaul of their policy.”

Official Statement of the Rochester Community Schools

“I know that many of you may have heard on the radio or on Fox News about an incident that took place at Adams High School Tuesday morning involving a parent in military uniform who came to school to visit his child.

First, I want to emphasize that the district does not have a policy excluding individuals in uniform and we will be working with the administration and the firm that handles our security to make sure district policies are understood and communicated accurately.

Second, I want to assure you that we are investigating the incident and will take disciplinary action if appropriate.

Finally, I want you to know that we have spoken to the parent and have apologized for any perception that individuals in uniform are not welcome in the school. As a former officer of Marines and the superintendent of an excellent school district, I deeply regret this unfortunate incident. I want to personally assure the community, especially our families who are affiliated with any of our armed services, that we respect and honor their service to our country. I have personally spoken to many officers and enlisted men and women who have students in the district to convey this message, and will continue to make sure that respect for the United States of America and those who serve to preserve and protect is one of the core values instilled in our students.” ~ Superintendent Robert Shaner, Ph.D.

Reaction

While the matter seems to be cleared up for now, many residents and media outlets have voiced their opinions and want action taken against the individual at the security company. Rochester Media will continue to follow the story.