MARION— Sippican School just got safer. On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the Marion Police Department launched a satellite office in Sippican School. 

According to a press release, the satellite office located in the school will provide office space for on-duty Marion police officers. The collaboration came from an initiative to ensure school safety with higher police presence in the school. 

The idea was created and brought to fruition by Superintendent Michael Nelson, Police Chief Richard Nighelli, Sippican School Principal Marla Sirois and the Marion School Committee. 

"It is important that everyone feels they have a safe and secure environment to learn in, work in and send their children to," said Nelson in a press release. "While we are always hopeful that a police presence will not be needed during the school day, this initiative will provide a meaningful added layer of safety.”

According to Nelson and Nighelli, the Sippican School and Marion Police Department budgets can not currently support a full-time school resource officer. 

“This initiative is meant to provide a meaningful added layer of safety, and a higher likelihood that an officer would be present in the building and able to quickly respond and assist in the event of an emergency at the school,” Nelson said.

The added presence of an officer in the school is meant to address parents’ concern for safety. 

“We have been very pleased with the support and positive feedback we have heard from parents, guardians, staff members, and community members regarding the start of this initiative,” said Nelson. “The Satellite Office is a symbol of the strong partnership the school and police department have.”

"We are grateful to have a positive relationship with our Marion school community and are pleased to be setting this initiative in motion," Nighelli said in a press release. "We continue to work with the school on safety policies and this initiative is another example of that commitment.”