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Wildcat News is a presentation of Walkerville Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press.
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
WALKERVILLE — When students return to classes to start the new school year at Walkerville Public Schools Tuesday, Sept. 3, they will have added security.
Marc Pascavis was recently hired as Walkerville Public Schools first-ever school safety liaison. Pascavis, who is also the school’s athletic director, will serve as both AD and school safety liaison.
He recently completed training with the National Association of School Resource Officers and is excited to tackle the new role.
A 1992 Montague High School graduate, he attended Muskegon Community College for two years, studying in the criminal justice program, and then obtained a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in sports business management from Southern New Hampshire University. Pascavis is continuing his education online at the University of Cincinnati working on his master’s degree.
Pascavis has been the AD at Walkerville for four years and was the girls varsity basketball coach. He has been employed at Walkerville Public Schools for seven years. He also serves as the district’s student support specialist.
This sign promoting good attendance is located near the entrance to the school.
As school safety liaison, his role is similar to a school resource officer. “I’m not a certified police officer, so I can’t arrest people,” he said. “Liaison means I’m the go-between the police and the school.”
In his new role, truancy will be a big focus. “I’m going to be making a lot of phone calls to kids who are not showing up and to their parents. I will also be making home visits.”
He is certified to instruct the American Lung Association’s INDEPTH (Intervention for Nicotine Dependence: Education, Prevention, Tobacco and Health) class. The INDEPTH program is an alternative to suspension or citations that is offered to students who violate school tobacco use policies. “If a kid gets into trouble with a vape — instead of getting an MIP (minor in possession), we have a class.”
Pascavis will deal with other discipline issues, too. He will also oversee fire drills and handle other school safety concerns.
He is appreciative of Superintendent/Principal Joe Conkle, Assistant Principal Ashleigh Droste and the Walkerville Board of Education for giving him the opportunity to tackle the new job.
“I want to be there for the kids. If they have issues, I’m here to talk. That’s my biggest thing is to help the kids. I want to keep them safe and the employees and teachers safe.”
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