Bill Donahue has been appointed School Police Officer for Avon Grove School District. (From left to right: Director of Safety and Security Chrissy Simpkins, School Board President Bonnie Wolff, School Police Officer Bill Donahue, the Honorable Anthony T. Verwey, and Superintendent Dr. M. Christopher Marchese)
On Friday, August 23, Officer Bill Donahue was officially sworn in as school police officer for the Avon Grove School District (AGSD) following his appointment earlier this summer. With 27 years of law enforcement experience, Officer Donahue joins the district’s existing security team to ensure the safety and well-being of students, staff, and visitors across all campuses.
The addition of Officer Donahue to the district’s security division comes after careful consideration and approval by the school board in April of this year. Following a yearlong safety initiative that included security assessments and community feedback, the appointment reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to enhancing school safety measures.
Superintendent Dr. M. Christopher Marchese stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Officer Donahue to Avon Grove. His extensive background in law enforcement and dedication to youth safety align perfectly with our commitment to providing a safe learning environment for our students and staff.”
In addition to maintaining the security of Avon Grove campuses, Officer Donahue will be responsible for fostering positive relationships between students and staff. Through educational programs and mentoring, he will provide support in areas such as conflict resolution, personal safety, and anti-bullying.
Officer Donahue expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities his new role will provide. “My goal is to create a safe environment where we can allow our educators to focus on teaching our children and to create a safe environment for students to learn and get a quality education,” he shared.
Officer Donahue joins Director of Safety and Security Chrissy Simpkins and high school security member Bill Coyle on the AGSD security team. Additionally, the district continues to contract with Signal Security to provide additional security personnel throughout the buildings.
With his extensive experience as a Pennsylvania State Police Officer, Donahue knows the importance of a strong security team. “I am excited and proud to be a part of the team that helps to keep everyone in Avon Grove safe.”
