He can put disruptive students in the alternative placement center, which can house up to 25 students at any one time. Involvement in a more serious crime can lead to a disciplinary transfer out of the school. Between 75 and 90 students are booted out yearly, he said. Furness also has one of the lowest crime rates among neighborhood high schools. Basic security is provided by two school police officers, four non-teaching assistants, Bergin and his two assistant principals, all linked by radios.
Entry is through the main door only.
Lunch periods are staggered to limit the cafeteria crowd to under 300 students, all from the same learning community. The school handbook is critical to school security and discipline, Bergin said. It tells students how to get along and about things like the student conduct code, disciplinary measures, hallway traffic rules and the dress code. Bergin requires students to have identification cards. Students must exchange them to get hall passes, even to go to the lavatory.