IRVINE : Campus Supervisors Get Rave Reviews

Bill Russell isn’t a cop, and he isn’t a high school counselor.

But as one of Woodbridge High School’s two campus supervisors, he’s worn both hats and many more in his daily effort to keep the school safe and crime-free.

A day on the job might include breaking up a lunchtime fight or chatting about the pressure of teen-age life with a student in need of a sympathetic ear.

“I am here to help the kids out and make things run smoothly,” said Russell, 28. “I want kids to feel free to express their concerns to me, whether it’s about security or if they just want advice.”

Irvine Unified School District officials are so impressed by the work of Russell and other campus supervisors that they plan to expand programs already in place at the city’s three high schools. Officials also hope to soon have campus supervisors working at several middle schools.

The importance of the supervisors’ work was underscored by a citywide task force, which earlier this year recommended that the district increase school security as one way of reducing youth crimes in Irvine.

“Our school principals tell us that this is the most effective way of making sure the campuses stays peaceful,” said Greg Smith, a school board member. “We are having excellent results.”

Russell attributes such praise in part to the cordial, usually non-confrontational relationship the campus supervisors have with students.

As he patrols the school grounds, Russell said he tries to foster friendly and casual ties with students. “I am not here for an ego kick,” he said, comparing his relationship with students to that of a football or baseball coach.

By forming bonds, Russell said he often hears about fights before they happen, giving school officials time to intervene.

Campus supervisors are also tipped to more serious crimes--intelligence that they pass on to the Irvine Police Department. “We try to be proactive,” Russell said.

Supervisors are sometimes called on to assist police during emergency situations, like last year when there was a shooting near Woodbridge High.

But for the most part, Russell and his fellow supervisors deal with the more mundane aspects of school life such as checking hall passes and making sure no one is smoking in the restrooms.

The supervisors receive special training in security techniques. Russell holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and is also a reserve police officer. But he did not identify which police department.

After working with students for more than a year, Russell said he has concluded that “90% of them are good kids. . . . It’s just a few kids that we have trouble with.”