The increase in gun-related violence in Coatesville has become a major concern of Coatesville schools Superintendent Rich Como who is already taking steps to ensure there is no spillover onto any of the district's campuses.

"Parents are reading the headlines and I'm certain they are concerned. They expect that when they send their children to school they're going to be safe. I intend to meet that expectation," Como said.

On Wednesday a 15-year-old student at the 9-10 Center, Calvin Haines Jr., of Coatesville, was arrested following an aborted robbery attempt at a West Goshen hotel that ended in a shootout with police which left Dashan White, 24, also of Coatesville, dead. And, in the past few weeks, several home invasions by armed thugs have occurred in the city.

"We do not fear that the gun violence taking place in the city will spill over into the schools," said Eugenia Roberts, an assistant principal at the Main Campus. She and Como are both concerned, however, that some "drama" may be associated with the incidents because of the alleged perpetrator attending the same school as the victim's family. "When incidents happen that are displayed in the newspaper, we try r best during the course of the day to process the information with students on an as needed basis.

Currently, there are 2,165 students enrolled from Coatesville, 663 at the Main Campus which includes the high school and the 9-10 Center. "The overwhelming majority of those students pose no discipline problem whatsoever," said Como. During the 2007-08 school year only 7 students, 0.1 percent of the total student population of nearly 7,000, were expelled for violent-related incidents. "We are fortunate that we have been able to keep our suspensions at a minimum," he said.

Roberts said the district will be taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of students and faculty. "However," she said, "we need to continue to have the support and collaboration of the community, parents, police, students, churches -- all stakeholders." Recently the district hired a mental health and behavioral specialist that she hopes will to be proactive in trying to minimize incidents.

Como said Roberts and other administrative staff under Robert Fisher, the principal at the Main Campus, work continually to keep a pulse of the community by interacting with the Coatesville-based community through contacts with church organizations; collaboration with groups such as the CYWA, Diamond Divas, New Life in Christ, and TIMS Mentoring Program and Youth Center. "We also have a strong relationship with other school districts in the county that allows for an exchange of information," Como said.

Last year violence between rival street gangs of teenage girls flared up within the city. One mother so outraged over the gang fighting attended a Coatesville council meeting and hammered a wrench into the dais to dramatize how her daughter was attacked while walking home from school. However, there was no fights on any of the school campuses. And one reason is the district's no-nonsense Code of Student Conduct.

"For instance," says Como, "on the rare occasion a fight occurs a 10-day out-of-school suspension is imposed. Students are aware of the punishment and quiet frankly, do not and cannot afford to miss that much school, which would put them behind academically."

Como said the Code of Student Conduct is strongly adhered to. "If a student commits a serious crime and doesn't receive the appropriate consequence, other students will believe that they, too, will not suffer the consequences of their actions," he said.

This school year the district is hoping to continue hosting meetings with county court officials and surrounding police departments to collaborate on gang-related issues and to keep open lines of communication.

The Coatesville police department has cooperated when the district requested their involvement, said Roberts. "We willingly share information about what the city should expect if something happens during the school day, but more dialogue needs to take place. We hope meetings may be planned with the police departments prior to the start of the school year so that we can better prepare for the students when they return," she said.

Meanwhile, the district has several support systems in place for those students who have either been victims of violence or view themselves as potential victims. Those support systems, according to Roberts, include a school-based probation officer, a crisis counselor, and teachers who have built up strong relationships.

Como said four campus police officers are on duty throughout the school day: one officer is stationed inside the 11/12 building; two inside the 9/10 Center; and one on outside patrol.