The Governing Board for the new Maryland Center for School Safety has selected veteran safety official Edward Clarke as its first Executive Director.

Clarke, a well-known expert in school security issues, served for six years as school safety and security director of the Montgomery County Public School System before starting his own consulting firm on public safety and school safety issues.  Prior to joining the school system, he served for more than 24 years with the Montgomery County Police Department. 

"Ensuring the safety of our children is a sacred duty and a top priority for our State," said Governor Martin O'Malley. "The opening of the Maryland Center for School Safety, along with adding $25 million in school safety funding in this year's budget, is yet another step in our ongoing effort to strengthen security for students and educators. Ed Clarke is the right person to lead that operation."

State Superintendent of Schools Lillian M. Lowery agreed with the Governor.  “Without secure schools and safe campuses, learning cannot take place,” said Dr. Lowery, who chairs the governing board of the new center.  “We are fortunate to have found a leader who not only understands the imperative of safety, but the unique requirements of educational facilities.”

The purpose of the new center is to provide a comprehensive, coordinated approach to school safety in Maryland.  Initiatives will include the development of a website containing a searchable database of school safety resources, assisting local school systems in conducting a thorough assessment of their school safety data and school building layouts, and the technical assistance on best practices for the use of human resources for monitoring school safety measures.